09th March 2020 18:04:34 Hours
‘Commando Footslog - 2020’, the walk of the Commando Regiment (CR) that coincided with its milestone 40th anniversary of excellence had its final spectacle this afternoon (8) at Galle Face Green amid greetings and best wishes after hundreds of serving Commandos and CR veterans converged there in a proud procession from Bambalapitiya junction and showcased a magnificent display of their skills before a large gathering of spectators. Earlier, three walks commenced from Kandy, Chilaw and Galle wended their way to the CR regimental HQ, amidst best wishes of students, young ones and the general public after they separately commenced their walks from those locations.
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva graced the day’s highlight as the Chief Guest at Galle Face, together with Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit and was welcomed by Major General B.A.P Silva, Colonel of the Regiment, CR and the General Officer Commanding, 57 Division at the venue.
As the day’s Chief Guest walked in, a representative group of elite Commandos symbolically displayed varied roles they are assigned to play as snipers, Hostage Rescue & Counter Terrorist, VIP protection teams, Combat Divers, Sky Divers and Airborne parachutists and welcomed him on stage in a different scenario.
Afterwards, the CR theme song rent the air heralding the onset of day’s proceedings with everyone stood in attention, followed by observance of one-minute silence in honour of their fallen ones, 43 Officers and 689 Other Ranks who sacrificed their precious lives for the sake of the country during humanitarian operations. The next moment saw the presentation of their anniversary volume to the Army Chief which had chronicled their 40 years of life-span as well as the Regiment’s exceptional contribution to the motherland and its milestone achievements.
The mega spectacle that followed with a variety show of CR’s reality -based demonstration of self defence techniques, inclusive of releasing, locking, surrounding, disarming and rescuing techniques as well as anti-disarming techniques thrilled the gathering. A live video discussion with the Colonel of the Regiment CR at the venue explained what the Regiment is all about as melodies of CR Band teams began adding their share to the occasion with maroon berets on as entertaining features.
Subsequent Dog Shows on the occasion received an overwhelming applause from the spectators, followed by base jump shows, stunts, in which CR troops jumped from the roof top of the nearby Shangri La hotel sending shock waves among the onlookers.
Next were their demonstrations in heli-rappelling, using MI 17 helicopters along with sea-borne tactics and skills using small craft in the sea and landing for emergency operations in addition to a number of other eye-catching shows of skills to suit their cherished motto, “Nothing Impossible”. Finally, the day’s airborne 19 skydivers parachuted from an altitude of 10000 feet and freely fell up to 3000 feet and landed at Galle Face Green amidst roars of cheers and applause.
Those sky divers included that showed their colours included, Major General Priyantha Senarathna and Colonel Vijitha Hettiarachchi. Towards the end of the day’s spectacle, the Chief Guest was honoured presenting him with a memento by the CR Colonel of the Regiment and inviting him for a group photo. The evening turned rhythmic and colourful with the Maroon Nights’ musical show, staged by the CR troops with a galaxy of artistes and vocalists.
Adding further dignity and memory to the valour of CR troops, a new Song on Commandos was also released this evening.
Senior Officers, including PSO’s of Army Headquarters, Commando Regiment Council Members and hundreds of Other Ranks attended the day’s event.Sports brands | Air Jordan Release Dates 2020
