THE CEREMONIAL passing out parade of 229 Officer Cadets of regular intake 66 B, short commission intake 17, volunteer intake 47, volunteer lady intake 8, direct enlisted intake DE/2009 and regular intake 66 at the pioneering Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa occurred Sunday (17) attended by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya as Chief Guest.
Not forgetful of their past sacrifices, the Chief Guest laid a floral tribute to the SLMA war memorial and paid his respect to their memory as the first segment on the day’s agenda.
The commissioning parade comprising two hundred and twenty-nine Officer Cadets included twenty-nine Lady Officer Cadets who have received military training at the SLMA. The Commander of the Army received the salute from the new officers during the colourful parade.
The President’s Trophy was won by Officer Cadet E.L.P. Edirisinghe. The Trophy to the Officer Cadet who had obtained the best aggregate marks in the ‘Best Shot Competition’ went to the Officer Cadet J.A.P.M. Jayakody.The “Balana” company became the best company and won the flag awarded to the best company.
Commander in his speech to the occasion congratulated all newly commissioned officers and said that “they were joining the proud and victorious Sri Lanka Army in a free and united country after ending 30 years of terrorism and now they have to contribute to the rapid development programmes in the country. They must look after the soldiers under them and set example to others and earn their respect. They must manage their leadership properly and the best example for that was the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave the correct leadership to humanitarian operations and remained unshaken amidst challenges that came on his way. There is no good or bad Army but there are only good or bad officers. They should always be faithful to the motherland and the Army and give their maximum service,” the Commander stressed.
The Commander further said that “Sri Lanka Army was an excellent Army in the world which earned great victory to the motherland and maintained strict discipline. They have to maintain those standards and the steps have already taken to get training and modern technology for the future development of the Army.” Army Commander also thanked the parents who gave their sons and daughters to the Army and said “it is the responsibility of the parents to contribute to defeat the adversaries again active in our country to disown the victory we achieved.”
The Chief Guest planted a tree sapling in the compound in memory of his visit to the SLMA Diyatalawa at the end of the parade.
During a special ceremony held at the SLMA gymnasium after the parade, parents of the newly commissioned Officers adorned the shoulders of their brave and beloved sons with insignia of the President’s Commission.
Here is the full text of the Commander's speech ;
“Venerable clergy, distinguished invitees, senior officers of the Army, Commandant and the Staff of the Sri Lanka Military Academy, officers, Parents, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is customary for the chief guest of the Commissioning parade to speak a few words and I wish to begin my address by firstly congratulating the 229 newly commissioned officers.
As newly commissioned officers, you will be joining your regiments and an Army that has now come of age. You will be venturing into your military career during a very important period in the history of our country where we are at crossroads to transition from war to peace. This is the last phase in war, which is the most difficult of all of them and therein lies the challenge for the Army of today.
You will be joining your regiments with a basic theoretical and practical military knowledge. I must caution you that practical application of the knowledge gained at SLMA, will, to your surprise, be somewhat difficult on ground. The application of military science on ground is an art, and this you will have to learn first, through the experience of others and with your own time.
Your first learning exposure will begin through your platoon and from the men and women you command. This learning process should continue throughout your career. It is only then that you would be able to be a true professional soldier and officer in the Army. The war is over, and professionalism in every sphere will take priority in the future Army.
Remember to look after the men and women under your command. Be friendly, firm and fair. As young officers, gaining their respect should be foremost in mind and I endeavour you to do this by example and not by making use of your rank. Always give respect and then you will get respect.
In your regiments and battalions there will be other Officers and other Ranks having shown their prowess in battle, considered as men of courage and loyalty to their comrades and units. Therefore, you will have to prove your mettle and earn the respect of your peers and subordinates by displaying exemplary attributes of Officering and leadership.
Your integrity will be judged by your sense of honesty and truthfulness. Honour your word of today, tomorrow as well. Remember, consistency in your actions and your words will provide insight to your character. The men and women under you will measure you with their own yardstick. They will measure you by the time-tested military value systems, unique to each regiment. So you must grasp and learn the traditions and norms of your regiments and of the Army as fast as you can so that you may understand the art of officering.
The involvement of the Army in the three ‘R’s – reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation may well be a major challenge. Hence, we need to take stock and spearhead the Government’s efforts to achieve a total peace and through that prosperity and development for the country. The people of Sri Lanka depend on you to a great extent to see this accomplished. Therefore, your main concentration should be on training, motivation or re-motivation and most of all discipline to be able to achieve the aspirations of the government and of the people.
I feel entitled at this juncture to instruct you to always conduct your official and personal affairs in a manner that the image of the Army will not be tarnished. The Press is always not public opinion. Public opinion will differ, change and waver. Your behavior, your actions and words in uniform and out of it, will always have bearing on shaping the image of the Army to be good or bad. Remember that there are no good or bad armies there are only good and bad officers.
In an institute as the Army and the services you cannot have different loyalties but you must always work with the interests of the organization and the country first. The Army needs to function with equality and without a conflict in loyalties. This is something that we have to guard against, as advocating disloyalty to the organization amounts to subversion. This can make or break an organization and is very detrimental to a fighting and war wining Army.
Before I end my speech, I caution that you need to strive to achieve excellence. Once you go back to your regiments and various postings do not be afraid to demand for excellence. You will be recognized and rewarded for it.
In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank all parents here with us today, knowing well the consequences, for having the courage and patriotism to allow your children to join the Army at one of the most crucial periods in the history of our country.
Finally I want all of you to remember that;
The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.
The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”
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