President opens digitalised Operation Room at new Army HQ

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who visited the Sri Jayewardenepura Army Headquarters for the first time in his capacity as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces yesterday, was cordially invited to inaugurate the new ‘Battlefront’ digitalised Operation Room of the Directorate of Operations of international standards at the new Army Headquarters. 

At the invitation of Defence Staff Chief and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva, President Rajapaksa closely watched an assortment of replicas that represented each regiment in the Army and its respective contribution to humanitarian operations placed near the new Operation Room. 

After inaugurating the new Operation Room, the President observed digitalised operational aspects in the new Operation Room. The state-of-the-art new Operation Room, a conceptual initiative of Gen. Silva, is well equipped with most modern signal and digitally-advanced technical accessories, through which all ground level troop locations and deployments can be spotted, and necessary instructions transmitted within seconds, in the event of any emergency or natural disaster. 

The day’s special guest to the location, the President, afterwards received a comprehensive description of the functional aspects of the new Operation Room, its most modern accessories and enthusiastically watched a few related presentations, submitted by two senior officers. Army HQ Director – Operations Brig. Shantha Ranaweera was also associated with the event at the Directorate of Operations.

During the same occasion, on Gen. Shavendra Silva’s instructions, officers on hand shared a couple of thoughts with other aspects of the Operation Room before the distinguished guests, the President and invitees, including President’s Principal Advisor Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne and Gen. Silva, moved to the adjoining planning section of the new Operation Room for observation. 

Brig. Ranaweera at first received Army Chief Gen. Silva on arrival at the location before the President moved in. Senior officers including the Chief of Staff of the Army, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Deputy Chief of Staff and senior officers were associated with the occasion. 

Next, the President, together with Lalith Weeratunge, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, who were also associated with the occasion, afterwards shared a few thoughts at the Commander’s office before memories were left by the President by signing the visitors’ book at the Commander’s office.