Cimic Park in Palaly Gifted for the Jaffna Civilian Community

In a refreshingly new multi-dimensional move to raise bonds of existing Civil-Military Cooperation to new heights, the 51 Infantry Division of the Security Forces (Jaffna) gifted its second exclusive ‘CIMIC Park’ for Sports (for play), Recreation (for leisure ) and Education (for explore) to the Palaly, Jaffna coastal belt and surrounding suburb civilian community during a brief ceremony on 07 June 2024. Major General MGWWWMCB Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, the Commander, Security Forces (Jaffna), graced the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest. The Chief Guest was warmly welcomed by the Major General WBJK Wimalaratne RWP RSP, the General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division.

The construction of this state-of-the-art the CIMIC Park saw its fruition on an initiative taken by Major General MGWWWMCB Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, when he was served as the General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division in year 2022. Upon assuming duties as the Commander, Security Forces (Jaffna), he received enormous requests from the civilian community and their leaders, religious leaders and the military, to construct a second park, recognizing the importance of harmony in this endeavour for the wellbeing of the society residing in the Palalycoastal belt and its surrounding suburbs. Thereby, he took it upon himself to initiate and oversee the second of this kinds of project with the wholehearted blessings, assistance, guidance of Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu.The task was assigned to Colonel Iraj Ariyaratne RSP IG, Commander 511 Infantry Brigade and with his dedication, completed the project within a month of short span of time.

Mr. Vamadeva Thiagendran (Jaffna) and his daughter Dr. Nilayini Thiagendran (Switzerland)were volunteered to support financially to the project. Their renowned philanthropic efforts have been significantly contributed to the noble cause of constructing a modern park for the benefit of local communities.

The Commander, Security Forces (Jaffna) as the Chief Guest unveiled a plaque at the invitation of the General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division and declared the CIMIC Park, the second of its kind before he and other invitees undertook an inspection tour inside the mega community project, comprised of a CIMIC Den (open library, language lab and education centre), Calisthenics Park, Open Theatre, Study Area and Play Area. Followed by the Chief Guest and other invitees’ planted saplings in order to mark inauguration ceremony and attended to distribute school items to needy schoolchildren who participated to the ceremony. Towards the end an exhibition, Beach Volleyball Match was conducted in newly constructed Beach Volleyball Court and all invitees and participants were attend to witness the match played by men and women teams separately.

Mr.TAC Danapala, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in Northern Province, Major General RKNC Jayawardene RSP ndc, General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division, Mr, Srimohanan, Additional District Secretary(Land) - Jaffna, Mrs. Rajani Muthukumaran, Principle of Vembady Girls High School - Jaffna, Mr, Senthil Maram, Principal of Hindu College - Jaffna, Mr. Baskaran, Proprietor of Rio Ice Cream, Mrs. M Wasantha Kumar, Deputy Post Master General - Jaffna, Divisional Secretary - Koday, Jaffna and Thelippalai, along with number of other dignitaries, Officers of Navy, Air Force, Police and Special Task Force, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks, teachers, schoolchildren, and local civilian community were associated with the day’s ceremonies.