2nd Lead (adds details)

Wickremasinghe meets military officials, troops in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 November 2005, 10:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka's presidential candidate and leader of opposition, Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe, arrived in special Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aircraft at Palaly military camp Thursday 7.45 a.m. morning and met with Jaffna Military Commander Major General Sunil Tennekoon and other high level military officials. The discussions centered on matters related to security situation in Jaffna and forthcoming elections.

Mr.Wickremesinghe, accompanied by his party stalwart Milinda Moragoda toured the Kankesanthurai Naval base and several bunkers and sentry points along the forward defence line in the surrounding areas of Palaly.

Speaking to the press at the end of his Palaly tour Ranil said that if he became the President he will modernise the armed forces and bring them up to the International standards to serve for peace missions abroad.

He appealed to the military officers and troops to vote for him in the presidential elections.

Mr Wickremmasinghe toured the HSZs in Jaffna district in an SLAF helicopter. He also had discussions with the SLA, SLAF and the Sri Lanka Navy troops and officers separately and assured them that during his presidency he will ensure that he will address and improve the welfare of, on duty and after retirement of, military personnel.

He then visited the Palaly military hospital and talked to the soldiers who are being treated for injuries.

He also attended a special pooja at the historic Mavittapuram Kanthaswamy kovil in Kankesanthurai sources said.

Sources said that Mr Wickremasinghe is also planning another visit soon to Jaffna to have election meetings at various towns. Several media personnel are expected to be accompany him to cover the event, sources added.