Five officers and seven other rankers of the Army who most recently brought fame and honour to the organization they serve, including four soldiers who rescued two kids at Matara, received laurels for their heroic acts from Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army during a special ceremony at Army Headquarters on Wednesday (30).
The red-carpeted venue with all Regimental flags fluttering in the background on the stage, commenced soon after the national anthem and the Army song, rent the air upon arrival of the day’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake.
Recognition of their bravery and committed dedication came about with the directions of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to Ministry of Defence and Urban Development who opines that heroic acts of the services should always muster public attention and appreciation.
The group of Army laureates felicitated on Wednesday with Certificates of Commendation for their exceptional heroic acts, included Major General M.H.S Boniface Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - Wanni, Brigadier R.M.Y.J Ratnayake, Brigade Commander Special Forces, Colonel T.S Sallay, Director, Military Intelligence, Lieutenant Colonel M.P.K.L Amarasinghe, Lieutenant D.M Dissanayake, Corporal K.G.A Dinesh Kumara, Corporal J.P.J Jayasinghe, Corporal G.N.J.A Gamage, Corporal S.S Manage (3 Gemunu Watch) Lance Corporal H.K.C Madhusanka (3 Gemunu Watch), Lance Corporal A.H.J.P De Silva (3 Gemunu Watch) and Private K.M.P.C Pushpakumara (Engineer Service Regiment).
Major General Perera and seven of those mentioned above in sequence while displaying exceptional leadership skills, professionalism, analytical skills, sustained dedication, effective command, implementation of sound and precise tactical plans, unparalleled low-intensity counter insurgency operations, hunted down a few LTTE remnants who were trying to revive terrorism most recently after infiltrating Vaidivettikallu jungles in the Wanni.
Four soldiers serving the 3 Gemunu Watch Battalion at Matara, in spite of risks, posed to their own lives and through their sheer compassion and empathy for kids’ situation, voluntarily jumped into the gushing Nilwala river waters on 24 April 2014 and valiantly rescued those two kids, Chathumika (4) and Vihansi (2) unharmed to the much praise of all right-thinking Sri Lankans while setting an eye-opening example to all others.
Award of these special Certificates of Commendation by the Commander of the Army, preceded reading of separate citations that attributed to the presentation of those laurels to these Army personnel after a multi media exposure, enlightened the gathering on their exceptional roles.
Laurels awarded to Army personnel, engaged in counter insurgency operations in Wanni in search of LTTE remnants, trying to resurrect terrorism in the most recent past, say that their commitment and dedication for sustenance and defence of the motherland’s continuing march to progress while adhering to high levels of discipline, command, bravery, is respectfully, recognized and held in high esteem as the Commander of the Army.
A large gathering of senior officers, officers and other ranks attended the felicitation and certificate awarding ceremony at the Army Headquarters.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
