Comprehensive national security plan under preparation: President

The Government plans to devise a comprehensive national security plan covering all aspects of the necessary areas of security in the island nation, President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday.

The national security plan has already been taken up by the National Security Council and will be finalised shortly with the support of the tri-services after consultations, the President stated.

The President made this announcement on Sunday (24), during an observation visit to the Security Forces Headquarters -East (SFHQ-E) in Welikanda to meet security force personnel, serving in the East. Defence Secretary B.M.U.D Basnayake and Army Commander Lieutenant General Krishantha De Silva accompanied the President on his first visit to the defence establishment.

Sri Lanka Engineers troops of the SFHQ-E welcomed the President with a Guard of Honour and saluted the visiting Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the first time at the SFHQ-E premises after he assumed office in January this year.

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During his address to the troops, President Sirisena highlighted the sensitive nature of the notion of national security and its importance for the country’s march forward.

The Government is of the view that although Sri Lanka today has no immediate requirement for offensive military operations, security measures must be in place to prevent any resurgence of terrorist activity and to secure the peace the country achieved in 2009 after a three-decade-long war with the LTTE.

Highlighting a few of the projects that have been implemented for the benefit of the security forces at all levels, President Sirisena assured them that all aspects of welfare and facilities of tri-service personnel would be looked after in order to ensure all possible assistance to the troops.

The President, appreciating the troops’ contribution to the development of the country, told the gathering that the valuable support of the security forces needed to be mustered for the development of the country in the future too.

Lending symbolic significance to his maiden visit to the location, President Sirisena planted a tree sapling in the premises before addressing the troops.

Following his talk, the President took some time to speak with troops and enquire about their wellbeing.