By Dinasena Rathugamage, Vavuniya

Gen Jayasuriya says the army is working on the welfare of the families of the killed soldiers including a project to help build housing for those who have lands

"We have contributed well for the nation building as the war is now over," Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya told a gathering of about 1000 military personnel in Vavuniya.

"There is no extra charge for our services so it is good assistance for the government to reduce huge budget deficit," he added.

The commander on Saturday attended the ceremony to declare open the new auditorium at Vanni security force headquarters.

Gen Jayasuriya added the army is working on the welfare of the families of the killed soldiers including a project to help build housing for those who have lands.

A scheme is also underway to provide loans up to Rs. 300,000 for current soldiers, he added.

Security force commander for Vanni, Maj Gen Kamal Gunaratne, said that the army has already helped building 1770 houses for displaced Tamil people in the Vanni.