19th January 2018 16:35:13 Hours
Sri Lanka Army, in another turning point in its life-span of 69 years deviated from the usual stereotype of formalities on Friday (19) and presented military honours to an Army Headquarters-based retiring Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), the senior most among Other Rankers on a conceptual notion, suggested by none other than the Commander of the Army himself as a recognition of his distinguished services.
Warrant Officer - I (WO) A.H.M.N Jayaratne of the Gemunu Watch who has been serving as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Army Headquarters for three years is generally held in high esteem and responsible for hundreds of Other Rankers serving the Headquarters.
Friday's formal military ceremony at the 6 Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental Headquarters parade grounds in Panagoda accorded a formal salute to the retiring WO-I on the eve of his retirement from the Army in a parade, comprised of 624 Other Rankers from all 24 Army Regiments.
What was unique in the whole of the parade was the participation of Regimental Sergeants Major representing all 24 Regiments, accompanied by respective troops, a gesture that added the highest degree of dignity and recognition to the military formality and unheard in the past.
The day’s programme kicked off after the day's protagonist, Warrant Officer - I A.H.M.N Jayaratne arrived at the parade ground to be received in a formal welcome by WO - I W.B.N.C Mendis of the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) who is also the Academy Sergeant Major at Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA).
The retiring Warrant Officer - I A.H.M.N Jayaratne, accompanied by the Parade Commander, WO-I W.M Weerasinghe, RSM, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC), together with the Drill Instructor of the Parade WO-I M.L Lokuliyanage of the SLCMP in accordance with military traditions, reviewed the parade before he was presented with the customary salute after he was conducted to the saluting dais.
Addressing the farewell parade, the retiring RSM thanked the Commander of the Army for honouring him in this manner in a dignified ceremony, attended by all Regimental troops across the country. He also expressed his gratitude to all Other Rankers for the support given to him during his 3 year long tenure (2015 – 2018) as the RSM in the Army Headquarters. An All Rank tea party at the Corporals’ Club in Panagoda brought the day’s proceedings to an end.
Mrs. A.H.M.N Jayaratne, the spouse of the outgoing RSM also attended the ceremony at Panagoda. WO-I W.M.S.P Wijesinghe of the SLCMP assumes duties as the new RSM at the Army Headquarters this evening (19).
The newly-appointed RSM, AHQ, Warrant Officers and Other Ranks participated in the day’s events.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army in another gesture of his concern for Other Rankers invited the retiring RSM, together with his replacement to the Commander's office at the Army Headquarters this afternoon (19) and thanked him for all the services he rendered to the Army during his 25 year long career. After presenting him with a symbolic gift appreciative of his services, the Commander also extended greetings and best wishes to members of his family and for his future endeavours.
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