MNDF personnel should display a high level of discipline and patience: Defence Minister

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

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Ministry of Defence and National Security Hon. Mohamed Nazim has said that due to current circumstances, MNDF personnel should display a high level of discipline and patience.

Addressing MNDF soldiers at Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi lastnight, the Minister urged the soldiers not to be trapped in political influences, avoid spreading false gossip and to be more responsible while using social media. He also urged MNDF personnel to think positively putting the national interest forward at all circumstances. The Minister also stressed that to overcome the national issues, all soldiers must be courageous in tackling any situation facing the country and requested to be firm before all malicious rumors.

Speaking further, he also highlighted on the various achievements of the Defence Ministry during the past six months after assuming office as Defence Minister. Reiterating the effort being undertaken to improve the welfare of MNDF personnel, he said that the issues of giving promotions and service decorations are now aligned wihthin a set standard based on the new promotion regulation of MNDF so that it would be given according to those standards to the qualifying personnel. Moreover, he highlighted on the issue of providing barracks to MNDF personnel and the “Senahiya” Hospital that is already in service. He said that the X-ray service is already installed while the laboratory service would be completed within another one and half months.

Speaking about the MNDF Welfare Fund, he marked that Sifainge Coorportive (SIFCO) had donated one million Rufiyaa to the fund and issues in obtaining medical service from abroad under “Aasandha” scheme is now solved.

He also noted that the great percentage of the budget allocated to MNDF is spent on salaries to staff and allowances. He said that for this reason, in this time of economic turmoil we have to find a mean to address some of our needs without depending on the government budget. He also informed that effort is being undertaking to identify and address this issue.

Highlighting on the training of MNDF personnel, he said that to improve the skill set of MNDF is one of his objectives and his aim is to develop doctorate level personnel who would serve at MNDF in future. Stressing further on this area he pointed that as part to achieving this vision, an MoU was signed recently with the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka to facilitate higher education for MNDF personnel including online degree programs.

Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed, General Officers, Officers and soldiers of all ranks participated in this meeting.

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