The Indian Army Chief, General Bikram Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC currently in Sri Lanka at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart as part of his peripheral itinerary away from the capital flew to the Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni (SFHQ-W) and Anuradhapura on Friday (21).
General Bikram Singh, upon arrival at the SFHQ-W premises drove past a Guard Turn Out presented in his honour before he was received by Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, SFHQ-W and later conducted to the SFHQ-W conference hall to receive a formal briefing on the roles and tasks of the Army troops serving there.
Major General Perera in his presentation touched on the question of re-building of infrastructure, reconciliation, resettlement, rehabilitation, humanitarian assistance, etc, now in full swing in the Wanni in parallel with the government’s development projects. He also explained to him the issues many of the war-affected civilians are faced with.
An exchange of mementos afterwards added monumental value to the Wanni visit before he was taken to Poontottam Rehabilitation Centre for ex-Combatants for a brief visit.
General Bikram Singh spoke to female rehabilitees undergoing sewing training in blouse-making work at the Rehabilitation Centre at Poontottam in order for him to learn more about their well-being and training.
As the second leg of the day’s programme, the visiting Indian Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh arrived at Anuradhapura to have a glimpse of several historic heritage sites, adding a religious and cultural dimension to his stay in Sri Lanka.
At Anuradhapura, he visited Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya and Isurumuniya sacred places with his spouse, Mrs Bikram Singh who earlier on the day visited the wellness resort, ‘Abimansala-1’ at Anuradhapura.
Arrangements at Anuradhapura were coordinated by 21 Division Headquarters at Anuradhapura on the instructions of the SFHQ-W.
