Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Razia Pendse paid a courtesy visit to the Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne at the Ministry last evening (Nov 19).
WHO Sri Lanka is supporting the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) with programs including technical and financial support in the adaptation of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) training and the capacity building of district-level Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) to strengthen emergency preparedness for response.
Dr Razia Pendse handed over a set of equipment to the Defence Secretary and stated during the occasion, the importance of sustainable emergency preparedness in protecting people from health emergencies, one of WHO’s top priorities.
The Defence Secretary, while commending the WHO’s efforts for a healthy world, thanked WHO Sri Lanka for the assistance to the disaster management sector.
Further, both high officials had cordial discussions on matters of mutual relevance during the session.
The Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe and National Professional Officer of WHO Dr Sapumal Dhanapala joined the occasion.
National Drive, ‘Husma Dena Thuru’ Inaugurated at Army-Developed Walking Track Area in Battaramulla, Sri Jayewardenepura
HE the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, adding an appreciative recognition for Army efforts to afforest semi-urban areas and beautify environs around Army HQ area and inaugurating the ‘Husma Dena Thuru’ (Trees that give breath) national project, launched jointly by the Central Environment Authority, Ministry of Environment and the Army, planted the first few Sandalwood saplings around the Army-constructed new leisure park (walking track) this morning (20).
Hon Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera and Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) warmly received HE the President on arrival to this brief ceremony.
The new afforestation project expects to plant 2 million saplings across the country and increase the country’s forest-cover by 30 percent as set out in HE the President’s ‘Sawubhagye Dekma’ (vistas of splendour and prosperity) policy statement.
The brief inauguration saw HE the President after a close look at the Army- developed and beautified location, planted the first sandalwood sapling to declare the inauguration of the ‘Husma Dena Thuru’ National drive. Hon Minister and Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva afterwards followed suit and planted saplings, symbolizing the continuation of the project.
Afterwards, HE the President and other distinguished gusests symbolically gave away a stock of saplings to a representative group of school students whose schools are at the forefront of the green environment project.
Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr Anil Jasinghe, Chairman of Central Environment Authority, Mr Siripala Amarasinghe, Director General of Central Environment Authority, Mr. Hemantha Jayasinghe, Senior Military officers including Major General Indrajith Kandanaarchchi, Director General Agriculture and Livestock, students, teachers and invitees attended the occasion by strictly adhering to health guidelines.
It was the Sri Lanka Army early in December last year, taking a lead in the acceleration of the national drive for afforestation and beautification of the country, coincident with the government’s environment-friendly Green Project concept under the self-styled ‘Thuru Mithuru Nawa Ratak’ project, proposed by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva inaugurated its contribution by planting ‘Araliya’ saplings starting from the Central Environment Authority (CEA) junction up to Sri Jayewardenepura Army Headquarters.
It also simultaneously developed the entire area, established leisure parks for walking and children, dug new water retaining ponds and lakes, planted hundreds of saplings of rare species, released fingerlings to those man-made tanks, harvested marshy lands by transforming them to be paddy fields and in essence beautified the entire area giving a complete facelift under the close supervision of its brainchild, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva. To-date, all SFHQs and formations across the country are actively committed to continue this project at respective levels.
Army’s Oldest Regiment, SLLI Inaugurates its Mass-scale ‘Yoghurt’ Production as One More Welfare Project
Army’s Oldest Regiment, SLLI Inaugurates its Mass-scale ‘Yoghurt’ Production as One More Welfare Project
Acting Australian High Commissioner Calls on the Commander
The Acting High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka, Her Excellency, Amanda Jewell called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at Air Force Headquarters last evening (19 November 2020).
After a cordial discussion on matters of mutual interest, a memento was presented to the Acting High Commissioner by the Commander to mark the event.
Defence Advisor to High Commission of Pakistan Calls on the Commander
The Defence Advisor to the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Colonel Muhammad Safdar called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana this morning (20 November 2020) at Air Force Headquarters.
The visiting Defence Advisor and the Commander held a discussion on matters of mutual interest before exchanging mementos to mark the occasion.
Defence Attaché At The Embassy Of Japan Calls On The Commander
The Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Captain Gaku Fukaura called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at Air Force Headquarters this evening (20 November 2020).
After a cordial discussion on matters of mutual interest, a memento was presented to the Defence Attaché by the Commander to mark the event.
