One of the most elite and widely-admired units of the Army, the Special Forces (SF) which received overwhelming commendation for their meticulous operations against terrorists, gifted one more batch of well-trained soldiers to the Sri Lanka Army on Saturday (23) in a grand passing out ceremony, dignified by the presence of Mr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary Defence as the Chief Guest, together with Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army.
Seven officers and 327 other rankers who followed the intensive eight-month long training Course No 46 at Maduruoya SF Training School, received their laurels during the ceremony, coloured with displays of parachute jumps, sky diving, unarmed combat, taekwondo, urban terrain mock military operations, scintillating performances and soothing band spectacles.
The day’s Chief Guest, upon welcomed by Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army in the company of Major General Sumedha Perera, Colonel of the Regiment, SF, was ushered to receive the honours in the Guard Turnout and the Guard of Honour, accorded to him in accordance with military formalities.
From a special dais, the Chief Guest for the occasion accepted the military honours and reviewed the parade after the Parade Commander reported it.
Reading of the doctrine behind the SF and singing of the SF song, infusing valour, adventure and sense of dignity and bravery, added significance to the event before all the graduates sat for a group photo.
In a rare show of sensation, a light helicopter flew down the bunch of laurels, trophies and certificates for distribution, adding a novel feature to the day’s agenda as the ceremony was reaching its apex. Award of SF medals, laurels and certificates to the course attendees commenced amid a thundering applause, emanated from invitees, fellow-soldiers, parents and relatives of the graduates and the gathering. The best of the best in the SF Course No. 46 lined up then to receive their honours upon successful completion of the SF course.
In his brief address to the occasion, the Chief Guest paid tribute to all fallen, disable and serving SF members and pointed out dignity and pride, associated with the SF among the public and underlined the significance, linked to the unfailing and exemplary commitment of SF soldiers.
After the passing out parade, Secretary of Defence and the Commander of the Army called at the 'Colonel Lafir Memorial Library' and the Herbal Garden (Osu Uyana) and joined a tree-planting programme to make the event remember forever.
Particularly with its Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) troops who are regarded the most-feared, the SF troops have made a name for themselves in the annals of Army units, having received admiration as ‘target takers’.
Colonel H.D.W.K.N Eriyagama, Commandant at SF Training School has taken all necessary steps to have this Course a resounding success and as a result, the popular demand for admission to this training Course is ever on the increase.
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