The Sri Lanka Army in a media communiqué issued last week requests all segments of society to keep the Army off their machination, all acts of intentional vilification and public ridicule,
“It has been observed that certain elements with malicious and vested interests and hidden agendas are currently engaged in an organised vilification of the Army, particularly with the motive of demoralizing and misleading its soldiers and tarnishing its image,” the communiqué read.
The communiqué further says that this was done via spreading and publishing unfounded and fabricated stories on foreign allowances, rations, disabled war heroes and so on, in the media.
The communiqué clarifies that the foreign allowances to Army officers on overseas training assignments are done in accordance with the circular specifying the provision of such allowances to officers from tri forces, after scrutinizing the terms of the particular MOU. It further states that many such foreign assignments provide board, lodging or other facilities free or a living allowance adequate for the stay.
It also says that the Army has taken measures to clear Rs 200 million of foreign allowance arrears for the years 2016 and 2017, by January 2018, in coordination with the Ministry of Defence. Further, the pilot project of provision of a healthy lunch to all ranks is carried out only within the members serving at Security Force Headquarters – West, effective from January 1. The communiqué states that the deduction of the expenditure of lunch against the salary is made only against soldiers living outside, based on number of consumed lunch portions per month. The communiqué adds that those wishing to bring lunch from home are still allowed to do so. Also, the concerns and grievances of this effect are currently being addressed by respective commanding officers.
Finally the communiqué states that issues pertaining to disabled war heroes and their families are resolved to a large extent, with 100 percent increase in their pensions and disabled payments.