CLOSE AND REPEATED assessment as well as inquiry into the ground realities and the needs of the fellow-soldiers is of prime importance to a commanding officer who spearheads warfare in order to salvage thousands of civilians living under the diktats of a megalomaniac who is now the most-feared terrorist in the world.

Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Army, as part of his routine agenda despite his day’s heavy workload, never fails to visit operational areas and mingle with his men of all ranks. The objective is to learn of the ground realities, logistics and more importantly, to speak to soldiers on the ground for first-hand information. Lieutenant General Fonseka, repeating this practice Friday (4) morning took time off to meet Wanni Security Forces Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya and Senior Officers in Wanni at the Vavuniya Headquarters and discussed several issues related to ongoing offensives in those respective areas. Commander Lieutenant General Fonseka made inquiries regarding torrential rains that inundated operational areas, sudden outbreak of viral diseases and its effects on the soldiers. He also took stock of developments in the areas where fighting patrols are engaged while Engineer troops are busy unearthing booby traps and explosive devices.

Division, Brigade and Unit Commanders were present on the occasion to listen to their Commander. Domination of newly captured areas, arrangements organized to receive more and more displaced people and passage of soldiers on leave to mark the forthcoming National New Year Festival were among the major concerns that were taken up during discussions. Lieutenant General Fonseka issued further advice to the ground troops before he left Wanni.

(Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army)