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 Salawa 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.

Attention also was paid on commending the members of the armed forces and Civil Defence Department who engaged in the rescue operations in Salawa, 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.

Attention was also paid to the program to provide lands to war heroes. It was mentioned that nearly 9,000 blocks of lands have been given to the war heroes. The President said the lands from Mahaweli Zone can also be offered to them if required.

The government has decided to liquidate Rakna Lanka. The President directed to bring proposals to maintain that institute furthermore for the benefit of the retired war heroes.

State Minister Ruwan Wijeywardena, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Chief of Defence Staff and the Commanders of Tri forces were among those participated in this meeting.