NO INTENTION TO DISMANTLE OUR CAMPS IN N-E: ARMY COMMANDER

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake yesterday assured that under no circumstances would any army camp in the North and East be dismantled, but as far as possible land belonging to the people would be returned to the original owners.

He said this to journalists when he visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday to handover five tonnes of Copra to light the flaming lamps that would be carried during the Esala Perehera. The Copra was obtained from the coconut plantations managed by the Army.

“The army considers it a duty to look into the needs of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Although the soldiers are in military uniform they are religious people. Mischief makers are spreading rumours that the army camps in the North and East are being dismantled. We have no intention of dismantling any of our camps in the North and East. The Army is only regrouping in an effort to streamline and maximise its resources more effectively. Steps are being taken to strengthen the people’s confidence in the security forces and the police. The army has also implemented a programme under the guidance of the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Cultural Affairs to protect archaeological sites and ancient temples in the Northern and the Eastern provinces so as to prevent vandals damaging these sites,” the Commander said in the presence of several senior military officials.