12th December 2023 08:11:00 Hours
Four Sri Lanka Army Officer Cadets were among the 329 Officer Cadets of the Course - No 153 in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, New Delhi, India who passed out on Saturday (09 Dec) during a glittering and colour-rich Passing out Parade (PoP) of high standards, held in the presence of General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff who at the invitation of the IMA Commandant, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra AVSM, graced the memorable occasion as the Chief Guest.
The IMA Course- No 153 was comprised of 329 Officer Cadets including foreign Officer Cadets of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Congo, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Moriches, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, US and the Uzbekistan. Of them, 04 Sri Lankan Officer Cadets of Intake 89 and Intake 92 who completed the IMA training in a rare and historic gesture were exceptionally privileged to receive their symbols of successful completion from none other than the Chief of Defence Staff himself in a foreign soil on Saturday (9).
The widely-reputed IMA, the military training institute that grooms the largest number of competent and patriotic Officers to the Indian Army in a historic move taking cognizance of General Shavendra Silva's cordial and professional relations, being maintained between both military organizations warmly welcomed the day's Chief Guest on arrival where the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar AVSM along with the IMA Commandant, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra AVSM were present.
After a while, General Shavendra Silva who has also completed several courses in India, inclusive of the one at the Indian National Defence College was ceremonially ushered by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Indian Army’s Western Command and the IMA Commandant to take the salute of Officer Cadets from the special dais. The day's Chief Guest aboard a ceremonial vehicle afterwards in keeping with preserved IMA traditions reviewed the parade in the company of the Parade Commander.
General Shavendra Silva was also invited to present special awards to Officer Cadets who performed well including the Sword of Honour for the Best Overall Officer Cadet. Thereafter, the Chief Guest was invited to address the newly-passed out Officer Cadets and the large gathering.
In his address, he extended heartfelt congratulations on the commencement of their journey into a new chapter of their lives while commending them for their exemplary display of military drills and professionalism which had been accumulated as invaluable insights into the essence of true leadership. As the senior-most serving General from a neighboring country, the CDS emphasized the principles of hard work, care for one's team, the importance of sharing success, and challenges as well as failures, and equally inspired them stating that Officer Cadets with integrity should always be well aware of the value of identity, responsibilities, and duty despite the challenges that may lie ahead.
He also commended the IMA Commandant and the the institution for consistently upholding the highest training standards with world-class facilities, making it unparalleled among contemporary armies at global level. He also emphasized that the greatness of military personnel is not measured by years of service or rank, but by the sacrifices they are willing to make for the betterment of their nation and its people.
Major General S.R.B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army, Minister Counsellor (Defence) at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in India also attended the occasion. The following Sri Lankan Officer Cadets successfully completed their training and passed out during the PoP:
Officer Cadet I.H.M.K Herath - Intake 89
Officer Cadet N.C.S.T Dias - Intake 89
Officer Cadet R.B.K.B Jayathilaka - Intake 92
Officer Cadet A.G.S.M Jayasundara - Intake 92
(Photo Courtesy CDS Office)
