Govt. wants to create more disciplined, lawful country: Defence Ministry Secy.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne yesterday said the Government wanted to create a more disciplined and lawful country under the guidance of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

He said maintaining discipline was most important for the Government employees, as they needed to work together for the betterment of the country.

Greeting the Ministry staff for the New Year, Maj. Gen. Gunaratne, during his address to the staff, said the Defence Ministry staffers were tasked with great responsibilities, and all must strive to serve with utmost commitment to safeguard the trust that the President has demonstrated by enlisting several State institutions under the Ministry. 

“As pledged in his manifesto, President Rajapaksa has a vision for the country. Under this visionary concept, we are entrusted with more responsibilities. As Government employees, we have to serve with commitment, passion, and dedication to develop the nation, which has been protected by shedding blood and sweat and immense sacrifices made by ancient kings, war heroes, and great leaders,” he said.

A traditional ceremony to welcome the New Year was held at the Defence Ministry premises this morning, under the patronage of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Maj. Gen. Gunaratne. Members of the Maha Sangha led the religious observances, commencing the day’s proceedings. The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence hoisted the national flag, followed by the reciting of the National Anthem. A two minute silence was observed in honour of the fallen war heroes. Subsequently, all employees of the Ministry took the Government Servant’s Oath.

Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said the Defence Ministry had been assigned more responsibilities than any other State institution, and that reflected the confidence President Rajapaksa felt in the Ministry’s employees.

“We should take extra efforts to achieve the desired results, regardless of any personal hardship or difficulties. We need to be committed to take up the added challenge,” he said, requesting the employees to be committed to accomplish duties assigned during the expected time span. “The efficiency and success of your work could be achieved only through mutual support, dedication and discipline. We won the war due to unity and mutual support among forces and field formations, and it was one of the decisive factors in concluding the three-decade long war, successfully ushering peace to the motherland, and leaving a peaceful and harmonious environment for people to lead a happy life,” Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said.

Secretary Maj. Gen. Gunaratne also stated that the Defence Ministry was one of the exemplary and recognised State organisations in the country during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term as Defence Secretary, and he wanted to bring back that glory back to the Ministry. Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said with the blessings and the guidance of President Rajapaksa, and Prime Minister and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Ministry employees needed to work together to avoid a recurrence of incidents similar to the Easter Sunday attacks in future.

He stressed the importance of forming a mutual working culture within the Ministry, whilst supporting each other with a view of augmenting productivity and efficiency.

Senior Ministry officials, senior Tri-Forces and Police officers, Heads of all institutes under the purview of the Ministry, and a large number of staff members were also present on the  occasion.