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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

SLLI's Regimental Mascot, ' Kandula' Immortalized in Photo Exhibition

'Kandula VII', the Regimental mascot of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment (SLLI) which traces its distinguished and ancient lineage of descent from the times of King Dutu Gemunu, the country's foremost warrior king, immortalized its service span of 50 years in a three-day long 'Exhibition of Kandula's Photos', declared open by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army on Sunday (18) morning to the public at  Colombo National Arts Gallery.

Commander of the Army who arrived at the venue as the Chief Guest was warmly received by  Major General R. M. D Rathnayake, Colonel Commandant of the SLLI Regiment as the  caparisoned 'Kandula VII' stood in close proximity. As the Commander treated the day's spectacle to a tray of fruits, it heralded the occasion with a loud trumpet plus an honorific gesture. After welcome of the Chief Guest, ushered him to cut the ribbon formally and open the Exhibition as the SLLI pachyderm which was to win laurels throughout the day watched the events.

The photographic exhibition that will be open for three days (Dec 18, 19, 20) to the public depicts how varying roles from the first baby elephant, ' Kandula I' (1961) has evolved until up to the present 'Kandula VII' in the SLLI as its much-beloved mascot in the past 50 years, obeying the commands of more than 15-20 mahouts in the past 50 years.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, showing an exceptional interest in those real photos, paused before some of them for a few seconds and made specific comments. Paying due respect, the Commander opined that the history of the SLLI, meant it is the history of the Ceylon Army with its cherished motto, 'Ich Dien (I serve).

Major General Rathnayake afterwards presented the Commander with a pictorial memento of the mascot to the Chief Guest. Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya left a few lines of greetings in the SLLI's Visitors' Book before his exit from the venue. 

Felicitation of the pachyderm's 50 years of service to the SLLI and the Army in general amply reiterates the fact that Sri Lanka Army has always been highly sensitive not only to the pulses of the populace it serves, both in war and peacetime, but also is equally concerned  about  their animals growing together with the Army at all times. Once those elephants reach maturity, it is generally handed over to the zoological gardens for nurturing. 

Many SLLI senior officers, a few SLLI past Commanders, Senior SLLI officers and a gathering of SLLI well-wishers and invitees attended the ceremony.