President pledges to strengthen tri-forces and police

President Maithripala Sirisena, emphasising that the dedication of the tri-forces and the police to the country should be remembered unreservedly, assured today to take measures to grant them with the utmost honour in every possible way.

Addressing a ceremony held on Monday to present the first-ever President’s Truncheon and the Regimental Truncheon to the Sri Lanka Army Sinha Regiment (SLSR) infantry unit at Ambepussa, the President said his Government will strengthen the tri-forces and the police in utilising their abilities in building the nation.

The President, as the Chief Guest, was warmly received by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva and awarded a guard of honour presented by the regiment. Later, President Sirisena formally inaugurated the state-of-the-art Eco-Friendly Library, built by SLSR soldiers in the premises which won the Silver Medal in the recent 4th Holcim International Eco-Friendly Building Competition in Switzerland.

After its ceremonial opening, President Sirisena had a close look inside the glass-covered library, erected with simple iron railings, wood and other light accessories, and equipped with thousands of volumes which any Army officer or soldier has easy access to. The library, designed to be the Army’s future educational hub by the year 2020, would impart knowledge to Army personnel on issues of global warming, environment, eco-friendly techniques, solar energy and more, according to the SLSR Regimental Headquarters.

Minster Sarath Fonseka, State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene, and Secretary of Defense Karunasena Hettiarachchi also participated in the occasion.