Chief Guest & Parents Adorn Epaulettes of New Officers with Rank Insignias

Just a few hours after those Officer Cadets at Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) received their formal commissions from HE the President as 2nd Lieutenants of the Army, the SLMA's decades-old 'pipping' ceremony where the new Officers’ rank emblems are pinned on to their shoulder epaulettes got underway this afternoon (19) at the Sino-Lanka Friendship auditorium, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva as the Chief Guest, together with parents and close relatives of those new Officers.

General Shavendra Silva, extending best wishes for their new professional career and congratulating each of them pinned their new ranks along with beloved parents before they are attached to respective regiments of the Army. Emotionally-sensitive parents and next-of-kin joined the formality, a feature that has been practiced since the inception of the SLMA many years ago.

After completion of simultaneous pipping, the Chief Guest was invited to address the gathering at the same location where he underlined the importance of the transformation of a civilian into an Army officer as a true leader who has the best confidence to stand alone as decision-makers and guiding leaders who could direct his subordinates in the right direction as full-pledged leaders in order to reach desired national and organizational goals.

"You are judged by the quality and equality of your actions and the integrity of your intent since the country requires your dedicated commitment more than ever. You must possess a broad heart to listen to requirements of others with high degree of patience and compassion and display utmost confidence in yourself to stand alone, being capable to absorb any pressures as you climb up your professional ladder," said General Shavendra Silva delivering a piece of advice to the set of new Officers.

The near two-hour long segment of the day's spectacular main event ended with exchange of mementos as symbols of memory and singing of the national anthem. The SLMA Commandant too joined the pipping ceremony, together with several senior Officers.