21st October 2021 17:31:27 Hours
Founded in 1988, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops asking themselves, “What cannot they bear, those who are adept and well versed in their arts, crafts and professions” as engraved in their motto added more strength to their Boyagane Regimental HQ this morning (21) by fortifying it with a state-of-the art Parade Ground of high standards, thanks to the efforts of the VIR’s Colonel of the Regiment, Officers and All Ranks.
Giving due recognition and value to their efforts, none other than General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest, graced the inauguration of the new Parade Ground at the invitation of Major General Sisira Pilapitiya, Colonel of the Regiment and Commander, Security Forces-Mullaittivu.
At the entrance to the Vijayabhahu Infantry Regiment, the day’s Chief Guest was greeted to a formal Guard Turnout in accordance with military traditions as his motorcade reached the location to be welcomed and received by Major General Sisira Pilapitiya before he was ushered to the VIR War Heroes’ monument in the company of the Colonel of the Regiment and the VIR Centre Commandant. General Shavendra Silva saluted the memory of those fallen War Heroes and moved to the special monument, erected for fallen Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) medal, recognized as the highest military decoration, awarded for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order. It is also awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy, performed on a voluntary basis in order to safeguard the lives of fellow comrades.
Two of those VIR War Heroes, Staff Sergeant H.G.S Bandara and Staff Sergeant P.N Suranga were exclusively were awarded the PWV medal posthumously in recognition of their selfless defensive acts in defence of their fellow-comrades in the face of the enemy. Placing a separate bouquet of flowers, General Shavendra Silva paid his tribute before he was invited to grace the apex of the day’s itinerary.
The opening of the newly-done Parade Ground to match with required military standards by the day’s Chief Guest unveiling a plaque while members of the Maha Sangha invoked blessings, symbolized the prioritized attention paid by all members of the Regimental Council for its importance. With the warming of the new parade ground, the day’s Chief Guest was invited to review the Parade, accorded to the Commander of the Army as a tribute to his presence at the occasion. After the salute was taken from the special dais, all VIR Officers and Warrant Officers separately posed for group photographs after the day’s Chief Guest addressed the troops.
The Army Chief in his address recalled the history behind the raising of the VIR Regiment and its life-span in the past few years giving an invaluable contribution to the culmination of the war for peace as the youngest infantry wing.
The Commander also reminded the gathering of the Army’s contribution to the nation-building, COVID control work and also the expansion of the organization with establishment of 1 Corps as the reserve for emergencies, Drone Regiment, Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock, Engineers’ Division and Disaster Management Training Unit, etc.
He also made note of welfare measures, being adopted for the benefit of All Ranks and also the establishment of the new Army Hospital in Pallekele, Kandy.
Towards the end of the itinerary, General Shavendra Silva was also invited to plant a sapling in the premises as a token of memory of his visit. A few minutes later, the day’s host awarded a special memento to the visiting Commander of the Army and added goodwill and memories. General Shavendra Silva before the departure left compliments in the visitors’ book.
The VIR since its founding has been at the forefront in the battlefield as well as in all emergencies and catastrophes at the expense of their own lives as true infantrymen of the Sri Lanka Army. A total of 3049 VIR War Heroes laid their lives in defence of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Similarly, 2877 VIR War Heroes turned physically handicapped for the remainder of their lives.
