Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock Inaugurates Stage 1 of Maize Cultivation in Niraviya Farm

The Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock, making great strides by throwing its full weight behind the government's food security programme began its Stage 1 of Maize Cultivation Project on 27th June 2022 at Niraviya Army Farm at Thambuttegama during a simple inaugural ceremony, attended by Major General Jagath Kodituwakku, Chief of Staff representing the Commander of the Army. The Stage 1 of Maize Cultivation Project, set to cover 500 acres in total commenced the project covering 100 acres of land at first in this Army-owned Niraviya Farm, managed by the Army Directorate of Agriculture and Livestocks (Dte of A & L). As recent as 16 June 2022, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army, embarking upon this gigantic project of national and timely importance established the Army's Green Agriculture Steering Committee (GASC) in order to supplement and promote the island’s food security programme by cultivating more than 1500 acres of barren or derelict state lands across the country after the government offered more lands to the Army for cultivation. Upon his arrival, Major General Jagath Kodituwakku, Chief of Staff was received by Brigadier Arosha Rajapaksha, Director, Dte of A & L who afterwards invited the day's Chief Guest to uncover the name-board to the effect of the project in the specific designated area for Maize cultivation. After a while, the Chief of Staff, together with a gathering of Army personnel inaugurated the Stage 1 of the project by planting several maize saplings at the location. Several Senior officers including Major General Shiran Abeysekara, Colonel Commandant SLACAL and Director General Financial Management, Major General Indu Samarakoon, Army Logistic Commander took part in the day's inaugural ceremony.