New State-of-the-Art SLLI Indoor Stadium Vested in All Ranks

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Major General Amal Karunasekara, Colonel of the Regiment, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) and Chief of Staff on Friday (25) ceremonially opened the newly-constructed Indoor Stadium at SLLI Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda.

The day’s itinerary got underway after Brigadier M.M Kithsiri, Centre Commandant, SLLI warmly received the visiting Army Chief on arrival. In accordance with military formalities, he reviewed the Guard Turnout at the entrance to the RHQ SLLI premises and afterwards took the salute in the Guard of Honour, after he reviewed the parade, together with Major General Amal Karunasekara, Colonel of the Regiment, SLLI.

Not forgetful of their heroic sacrifices, the Chief Guest seconds later laid a floral tribute to the SLLI war memorial inside and paid his respect to the memory of fallen SLLI War Heroes as a priority in the day’s programme.

After lighting the traditional oil lamp and cutting a ribbon, he opened the new stadium by unveiling a plaque and added more significance to the event.

The ceremonial warming and the inauguration of the new Indoor Stadium followed an exhibition Kabaddi encounter between the SLLI and Gemunu Watch (GW) teams, symbolizing the formal opening of the stadium for sports. The SLLI team however won the game after a close tussle. The single-storied Indoor Stadium building where more than 1000 members can be accommodated at a time was a collective effort of All Rankers of the SLLI.

4 SLLI troops, headquartered in the same SLLI Regimental Headquarters premises itself who are also reputed experts for construction, completed the project in an impressive manner to be in line with a conceptual notion, proposed by the SLLI Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Amal Karunasekara.

The new stadium was completed under three phases with the express and sole objective of bringing Army sports to the best standards, enabling sportsmen to compete in international events.

During his visit to the place, the Commander made inquiries into various aspects of the stadium which provides facilities for Squash, Badminton, Power Gym, Volley Ball and Basket Ball, etc.

The visiting Army Chief after main events addressed 125 officers and 1500 Other Rankers and highlighted the importance of grooming a capacity-based Army. He also elaborated on different roles, needed to be assigned separately for the organization to meet with current requirements of the country as well as the administration of the organization.

Major General Amal Karunasekara, Colonel of the Regiment, SLLI before the Commander’s departure presented him with a memento as a token of appreciation of his visit to the SLLI Headquarters.

A large gathering of SLLI Officers and Other Rankers attended the events.