Reflection of ‘Like Father, Like Son’ Nexus Recalled to Memory as New SLA’s 22nd Colonel Commandant Takes Reins

Leaving behind historic milestones, Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe assumed office as the 22nd Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) Regiment on Thursday (23), in which his own father, General Hamilton Wanasinghe (Rtd), the military legend cum one of the reputed Commanders of the Army and Joint Operation Commanders and also as a former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, has made history as the first Regimental Commander of the SLA Regiment many years ago.

The SLA Regimental Headquarters at Panagoda in connection with the day’s assumption of the office of the new Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) gave priority to commemoration of fallen SLA War Heroes at the Regimental Monument in the compound by laying a flower wreath. A salute by the day’s Chief Guest in memory of their bravery marked the solemn occasion.

Similarly, a formal Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour, presented to the incoming Colonel Commandant by SLA troops added colour to day’s significance in keeping with military traditions before Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe moved into the new office. In the midst of religious observances after lighting of the traditional oil lamp, he after a while symbolically placed his signature in a formal document in the presence of SLA Council members, Commanding Officers, other officers and staff at the RHQ in Panagoda.

In another feature, Officers present at the occasion afterwards made the occasion memorable by posing for a group photograph with Major General Wanasinghe before he was invited to plant a sapling in the compound by the Centre Commandant to mark the official inauguration of his new office as the Colonel Commandant. An all ranks tea was joined by all as another feature of the day’s sequence of events.

Simultaneously, a special offer of alms to several monks after inviting them to the Officers’ Mess was also attended by the day’s Chief Guest. A formal lunch at the Officers’ Mess afterwards brought the day’s proceedings to culmination. Strict COVID-19 health guidelines were followed during proceedings.

Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe is currently serving as the Commander, Security Forces-Mullaittivu.