22nd January 2019 22:56:51 Hours
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army during a formal visit to his reserve 53 Division Headquarters in Inamaluwa, Habarana on Tuesday (22) morning as the Chief Guest joined the ceremonial opening of several badly-felt welfare constructions for both Officers and Other Ranks serving the 53 Division at the invitation of Major General Athula Kodippily, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 53 Division.
The day's itinerary of the Commander began after a formal Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour, presented by 53 Division troops saluted the day's Chief Guest in conformity with military traditions after he was warmly received by Major General Athula Kodippily, GOC 53 Division and Brigadier Indrajith Bandara, Deputy GOC on arrival at the premises. A few minutes later, 53 Division Senior officers were introduced to the visiting Commander, a feature, considered as one of the rare chances in a lifetime for an Officer.
Adding memories, the Commander of the Army afterwards planted a sapling in the 53 Division premises to symbolize his visit to the 53 Division. The day's priorities began to unfold a little while later as the Commander was invited to open the newly-constructed Officers’ Mess with all facilities in the compound. The Commander of the Army unveiled a plaque to this effect and opened the Officers’ Mess cutting a ribbon. It has been constructed by 3 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) Regiment, together with 53 Division troops at a cost of Rs. 15.3 million within a very short span of time.
Next, was the Commander's opening of the much-needed All Rank new Gymnasium, built at a cost of Rs. 7.9 million by the same 3 CES and Division troops. The uncovering of a formal plaque and ribbon-cutting, together with an Other Ranker warmed the gymnasium which was also closely inspected by the Commander. Around the same time, the Commander of the Army inaugurated 'Futsal' pitch (mini football ground), the first of its kind in the Army history, constructed by the same above-mentioned troops at a cost of nearly Rs 6 lakhs, enabling troops to practise and play mini football.
Highlighting the dignity of the profession and the need to be self-disciplined at all levels, Lieutenant General Senanayake after a while delivered a brief address to the troops in the 53 Division before the day's ceremonials culminated with group photos.
Major General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army was also associated with the Commander's visit to the 53 Division Headquarters Mysneakers | Air Jordan
