The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane, Kurunegala, added further grandeur and dignity to its premises on Tuesday (24) when the troops invited the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to ceremonially open their newly-built archway at the entrance to the VIR Headquarters.
The Chief Guest of the day, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army at the entrance to the VIR Regimental Headquarters was warmly welcomed by Colonel of the Regiment, Major General R.V. Samarathunga and other senior officers where he was invited to open the newly-erected archway, cutting a ribbon, amidst chanting of Seth Pirith by members of the Maha Sangha.
The new archway, made of hard stone reminds of ancient royal architectural designs with gate-keepers (doratupala) remained vigil throughout day and night.
Then the Commander inspected the Guard Turn Out presented in his honour before entering the dais afterwards to salute the Guard of Honour, accorded by VIR troops in accordance with military traditions.
‘HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa was determined and did not give in to pressures of the international community when the Wanni humanitarian operations were entering decisive phases around April 2009. I still remember, HE the President, telling me that he remained under enormous international pressure. It was the country’s political leadership that gave strength to us to be successful,’ recalled Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his address to the troops as one more segment of the day’s agenda later on.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya further said that he was highly impressed with the remarkable progress the VIR Headquarters has made in the recent past, in relation to its infrastructure development and its conduct of many a mega event to raise funds. ‘I have visited the VIR for more than six times and I still remember how VIR troops hand in hand with others contributed to the success in Wanni. I still can see many of them around,’ the Commander remarked.
Soon after the Commander shared refreshments with all ranks, he was invited to open the new cinema hall, constructed by VIR soldiers for rest and recreation of all ranks in the Headquarters. The new hall with seating capacity to more than 300 soldiers at one given time had been erected using scrap metal, collected from the Army Headquarters by those VIR soldiers. New sophisticated equipment and machinery in the new cinema hall are of modern high standards and is regarded one of the best in the Army, it was reported.
The VIR Regimental Headquarters, situated in a serene and huge coconut grove, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, was established on 23 April 1993 after it was originally raised in Sinhawilluwatta, Puttlam on 22 March 1990.
VIR troops with its 655 officers and 16,501 other ranks of both regular and volunteer battalions to its credit boast of a series of unique achievements and victories both at combat and other levels.
As recent as August last year, the VIR recommenced its officers’ dinner night with the Commander of the Army in attendance as the Chief Guest.
Early in the year 2010, the VIR opened its newly-built spacious office complex at its Headquarters. VIR troops entered the sphere of motor racing after it produced its own racing track in the premises with its annual Vijayabahu Motocross, becoming more and more popular every year.
On the sidelines of the main ceremony, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch who accompanied the Commander, had her own programme in the premises, together with Mrs Preethi Samarathunga, Chairperson VIR Seva Vanitha Unit.
During her stay, she inspected the VIR Yoghurt production unit, run by the VIR Seva Vanitha unit and reviewed the progress of different projects.
The Chief Guest of the day, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army at the entrance to the VIR Regimental Headquarters was warmly welcomed by Colonel of the Regiment, Major General R.V. Samarathunga and other senior officers where he was invited to open the newly-erected archway, cutting a ribbon, amidst chanting of Seth Pirith by members of the Maha Sangha.
The new archway, made of hard stone reminds of ancient royal architectural designs with gate-keepers (doratupala) remained vigil throughout day and night.
Then the Commander inspected the Guard Turn Out presented in his honour before entering the dais afterwards to salute the Guard of Honour, accorded by VIR troops in accordance with military traditions.
‘HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa was determined and did not give in to pressures of the international community when the Wanni humanitarian operations were entering decisive phases around April 2009. I still remember, HE the President, telling me that he remained under enormous international pressure. It was the country’s political leadership that gave strength to us to be successful,’ recalled Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his address to the troops as one more segment of the day’s agenda later on.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya further said that he was highly impressed with the remarkable progress the VIR Headquarters has made in the recent past, in relation to its infrastructure development and its conduct of many a mega event to raise funds. ‘I have visited the VIR for more than six times and I still remember how VIR troops hand in hand with others contributed to the success in Wanni. I still can see many of them around,’ the Commander remarked.
Soon after the Commander shared refreshments with all ranks, he was invited to open the new cinema hall, constructed by VIR soldiers for rest and recreation of all ranks in the Headquarters. The new hall with seating capacity to more than 300 soldiers at one given time had been erected using scrap metal, collected from the Army Headquarters by those VIR soldiers. New sophisticated equipment and machinery in the new cinema hall are of modern high standards and is regarded one of the best in the Army, it was reported.
The VIR Regimental Headquarters, situated in a serene and huge coconut grove, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, was established on 23 April 1993 after it was originally raised in Sinhawilluwatta, Puttlam on 22 March 1990.
VIR troops with its 655 officers and 16,501 other ranks of both regular and volunteer battalions to its credit boast of a series of unique achievements and victories both at combat and other levels.
As recent as August last year, the VIR recommenced its officers’ dinner night with the Commander of the Army in attendance as the Chief Guest.
Early in the year 2010, the VIR opened its newly-built spacious office complex at its Headquarters. VIR troops entered the sphere of motor racing after it produced its own racing track in the premises with its annual Vijayabahu Motocross, becoming more and more popular every year.
On the sidelines of the main ceremony, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch who accompanied the Commander, had her own programme in the premises, together with Mrs Preethi Samarathunga, Chairperson VIR Seva Vanitha Unit.
During her stay, she inspected the VIR Yoghurt production unit, run by the VIR Seva Vanitha unit and reviewed the progress of different projects.
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