(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The effective measures taken by the Ministry of Defense and its affiliated agencies in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Police against drug trafficking have dealt a heavy blow on drug smuggling operations in the country, Defense Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Addressing the staff of the Ministry of Defense at the ceremony held to start work in the New Year, the Defense Secretary said such preventive measures have had a huge impact on the society
A simple ceremony organized to usher in the dawn of 2023 and the official commencement of work in the New Year at the Ministry premises was held today (Jan 02 giving prominence to religious proceedings with the presence of State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.
Expressing gratitude to the armed forces and the police for their role in maintaining public safety and continuity of essential services during the recent social unrest Defense Secretary said that they provided necessary support to prevent the country from becoming politically unstable and anarchic.
Further speaking Gen. Gunaratne said that for the creation of a free and peaceful Sri Lanka and with the intervention of the Ministry of Defense and the Sri Lanka Police, operations of extremist groups, underworld gangs and such related activities have been successfully curbed.
“In order to stabilize the economic and social crisis that our country is facing, with the aim of making the national development policy of the government a reality, we must make this year more productive than the previous years and properly discharge our responsibilities as public servants,” General Gunaratne said.
Following the hoisting of the National Flag by State Minister Tennakoon and the National Anthem, a moment of silence was observed as mark of respect to all the great souls who had made the supreme sacrifice towards ushering an era of peace in the country.
Subsequently, all members of the Ministry staff present took the Government Servant’s Oath.
