His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in his address to 253 Cadet Officers who passed out from the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Diyatalawa on Tuesday (21) underlined that no one, though obsessed with abundant talents or skills, could reach great heights unless the person concerned loves his Motherland, like he does for his mother or father.
253 Cadet Officers including two Maldivian officers and seventeen lady officers after completion of their training at SLMA received their commissions from the President during a glittering military ceremony, graced by a host of distinguished invitees, including the President’s Secretary Mr Lalith Weerathunge, Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Senior Officers and next of kin of the graduates.
President Rajapaksa as Chief Guest on the occasion was warmly received on arrival by President’s Secretary Mr Lalith Weerathunge and Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in the company of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, and the SLMA Commandant, Brigadier Ruwan Kulathunge. Before the day’s itinerary commenced, President Rajapaksa did not forget to pay homage to fallen War Heroes and departed soldiers. He offered floral tributes to the SLMA memorial, close to the main entrance and recalled their sacrifices with reverence.
The colourful commissioning parade, in accordance with military traditions afterwards saw the President Rajapaksa, President’s Secretary and the Secretary Defence respectively present the symbolic insignia, ‘sword’ to all the graduates who received commissions on the occasion. President Rajapaksa minutes after the commissioning parade planted a tree-sapling in the SLMA complex and added symbolic memory to his visit to the SLMA and its 76th Passing out Parade (PoP).
Continuing his address to the occasion, President Rajapaksa told the gathering that our Security Forces received the most needed energetic strength for elimination of terrorism because of the sheer love those War Heroes have harboured for the Motherland, in which they were groomed and nurtured.
“The humanitarian operation that got underway in 2006 is still not over. It was not at all a war. Had we pursued a war, it would have ended soon after the decimation of the terrorist leader. What we launched was purely a humanitarian operation which still continues unabated with full vigour. This continuing humanitarian operation that salvaged our territory and the people alike, has now entered a very special phase, through which our Security Forces are working tirelessly to win the hearts and minds of the people living there,” he said.
This humanitarian operation, President Rajapaksa added, covers continuing demining work in the north and east as well as the promotion of living standards of people in those areas by providing and facilitating all what they require for existence.
“This humanitarian operation will not cease until all bitter past memories of terrorism and secessionist intentions are completely wiped out. All those passing out today as responsible officers, should also remember to contribute to this unceasing great humanitarian operation in the future,” the President stressed.
The SLMA has immensely served this country by producing three Army Commanders and a Secretary Defence. This training centre gifted the nation with all necessary highly skilled and competent officers for the arduous task of fighting against the world’s most feared terrorism. All of you who pass out today should remember that it was because of the numerous sacrifices, made by your fellow-predecessors, your organization existed to receive global recognition and appreciation, the President said.
Similarly, you should not forget the fact that there are foreign states which are still trying to resurrect defeated terrorist elements by accusing us of assassinating unarmed civilians. This has become their latest ruse, the weapon, being used to tarnish Sri Lanka’s image. The fight against such elements has already been launched and pursued at international levels, the President pointed out.
Giving a word of advice to the new batch of officers, President Rajapaksa further said that the officer, as a candid, disciplined and an exemplary one, should always be a model to follow. Discipline is the main element vital to the organization. Commands given with good faith and intentions are always well received and pursued by lower ranks with respect and care. Punishments, given as a revenge do not suit tenets of humanity. You all must learn from the racial conflicts in the 60s and insurrections in the 70s in the past. You also must learn Tamil as well as other languages with a broader insight into our culture and heritage and serve the country, he concluded.
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