New 350 Commandos Receive Graduation in Thrilling Ceremony

The Passing out Parade (PoP) of the 46th batch of the Commando troops, including 13 Officers and 337 Other Rankers took place on Saturday (25) at Uva-Kudaoya Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) premises.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment, Commando Regiment (CR), Major General Ralph Nugera.

On arrival at the venue, the Chief Guest was received by Colonel Nilantha Fernando, Commandant, CRTS and conducted to inspect the Guard Turnout at the entrance to the premises. A few minutes later, a Guard of Honour greeted the Chief Guest who along with the Parade Commander inspected it.

In what was marked as a memorable segment, of the day’s ceremony, parents and next of kin of Officers and Soldiers afterwards pinned Commando badges on graduates everyone who successfully completed the course.

Later on, the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Senanayake and Colonel of the Regiment, CR and several Senior Officers awarded Maroon Berets to Officers and Soldiers who passed out as symbols of their identity and symbolic professional dignity.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake during the ceremony meanwhile awarded special prizes to graduates who had performed exceptionally well throughout the Commando course.

The award for the Best Commando went to Lieutenant L.S Abeyrathna while the Best Shooter award was awarded to Private L.S Lakmal. The award for the Best Student in Physical Training was given away to Lieutenant L.S Abeyrathna.

At the end of the ceremony, a special live display of Commando soldiers, depicting their combat skills and valour got underway adding thrill to the occasion. The live show focused on their untiring strength, military skills and fighting capabilities of unprecedented nature.

In addition, the entertaining segment of the ceremony included the parachute landing, Taekwondo, War Dog show, Sniper Display and several other items.

Officers and Other Rankers including Brigadier Upali Rajapaksha, Centre Commandant, CR, Major R.M.R.H Rathnayake, Chief Instructor, CRTS and about 4,000 relatives and friends of Commando graduates witnessed the day’s spectacular event.

Major General Rukmal Dias, Commander, Security Forces - Central (SF-C) and several Senior Officers were also present.