President Maithripala Sirisena headed the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Defence yesterday at the auditorium of the Ministry.
The meeting focused on the operation and the future plans of Civil Defence Department, School Cadet Battalion, National Security Education Institute, John Kotalawala Defence University, Rakna Lanka Institute and all institutions under the Ministry of Defence.
The President paid his special attention on the progress of the payments for the victims of the Salava incident.
They also discussed about the Army Headquarters being built in Akuregoda, Pelawatta. It was mentioned that the new Army Headquarters can be opened by next year.
The attention also was paid on commending the members of the armed forces and Civil Defence Department who engaged in the rescue operations in Salava, Samasara Rock and Meethotamulla incidents. Accordingly, it was proposed to attach letters of commendation for special services into their personal files.
They discussed about increasing of the cadet battalion and paid attention on providing required facilities and financial grants.