Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary emphasizes need for everyone to play an active role in the development process

Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said that it is now time to play an active role in the development of the nation following the end of the three-decade long war.

Addressing the staff at the Defence Ministry he said the Ministry had new responsibilities since several other state institutions have been assigned to it.

The institutions that are now under the purview of the Defence Ministry are the Emigration and Immigration Department, Urban Development Authority, Registration of Persons Department, and Land Reclamation Corporation.

He has called on all members of the staff to get together to work towards the common goal of developing the nation.

Rajapaksa has also stressed that the welfare of war heroes and their families is a prime responsibility of the Defence Ministry.