When there are only three days to pass the year 2008 during which Security Forces recorded remarkable victories against the LTTE, secretary defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera went to Welikanda in a bid to wish the troops in the east courage and strength to continue their service to the motherland in the oncoming new year.Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who was already on a visit to the east welcomed the Secretary Defence and the CDS on their arrival and accompanied them to the Security Forces Headquarters-East (SFHQ-E) auditorium where Commander SFHQ-E Major General Srinath Rajapaksa briefed on the present security situation in the east.Secretary Defence who addressed the Senior Officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the STF (Special Task Force) present at the auditorium issued further instructions on measures to ensure security in the east.Later, the secretary Defence addressing all ranks of the Armed Forces and the Police who gathered at the SF-E Headquarters premises commended their dedication to secure the integrity of the motherland and conveyed his New Year wishes to them.He also signed the Visitors' Book before leaving Welikanda.