New DCOS Makes First Formal Visit to Ranaviru Apparel Factories at Alawwa & Yakkala

Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana the newly-appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) of the Sri Lanka Army and Chairman of Board Management (BoM), Ranaviru Apparel (RVAPL), made his first formal visit to the Army-managed Ranaviru Apparel Factories at Alawwa and Yakkala for an inspection on Wednesday (9).

On arrival at the Alawwa factory main entrance, the visiting DCOS was warmly received by Brigadier Senaka Dassanayake, Commandant, RVAPL, together with Brigadier Kapila Ranaweera, Deputy Commandant and Factory Manager RVAPL Alawwa in the company of several other Senior Officers.

A drive-past Guard Turn Out presented by troops at the factory saluted the visiting DCOS in accordance with military traditions.

Later, the visiting DCOS was invited to lay a foundation stone for the proposed Officers’ Mess building at the auspicious minute during a simple religious ceremony conducted at the venue.

Around the same time, the day’s Chief Guest planted a tree sapling in the camp premises as a symbol of memory.

Afterwards, he made a visit to the ongoing construction site of the proposed five-storied Other Rankers' accommodation building and Non Commissioned Officers’ Club at the factory. During his inspection visit, the DCOS made several inquiries into various aspects of ongoing constructions and other facilities including infrastructure facilities, living condition, ration procedures and personal problems of men and women serving in the factory.

Later on, Several Officers of RVAPL Alawwa and representatives of Corps of Engineer Services who are responsible for its construction explained different areas of ongoing project to the DCOS during the site visit. The visiting DCOS also encouraged them to complete those projects as early as possible.

Later on, the day’s protagonist shared a couple of views with Officers and Other Ranks during an All Rank tea arrangement at the factory lobby before the end of the day’s programme at Alawwa.

As the second segment of the day’s itinerary, the DCOS arrived at the RVAPL factory in Yakkala.

After a drive-past Guard Turn Out greeted the day’s Chief Guest, he visited the factory complex and inquired into the production process, infrastructure facilities, welfare projects and other related aspects. He also planted a Sandalwood sapling in the premises as a symbol of memory.

In the meantime, a newly-constructed Office for the Factory Coordinator and the Mechanical Store Room at Yakkal Factory premises was opened by the visiting DCOS amid religious blessings at the invitation of Brigadier Senaka Dassanayake, Commandant, RVAPL.

He also addressed nearly 1000 troops including differently able War Heroes in the Other Ranks' Mess.

Towards the end of the day’s proceedings, the DCOS placed his signature in the Visitors’ book as a memory of his visit to the RVAPL.