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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

28th March 2016 20:12:04 Hours

Volunteer Force to Mark Its Milestone 135th Anniversary with Elaborate Programmes

Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) which boasts an illustrious history of unmatched achievements is well-prepared to commemorate its 135th birth anniversary with one-week long elaborate arrangements beginning March 28, announced Major General Channa Goonetilleke, SLAVF Commandant during a Media briefing held at Kosgama, SLAVF Headquarters Monday (28) morning. 

The SLAVF begins its anniversary programmes with an island-wide tree planting campaign as its first segment of the anniversary programme. During this drive, each SLAVF unit has planned to plant 135 tree saplings in their respective premises. 

A total of 13,500 tree saplings are to be planted during March 28-31, giving a boost to the national tree planting campaign of the government. Special care has been focused on the selection of tree saplings which suit the climatic and geological needs of those specific areas, so said Major General Goonetilleke. 

On March 30th, invocation of religious blessings on the anniversary commences with an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony where Major General Channa Goonetilleke attends as the Chief Guest. The chanting follows an alms-giving to 20 members of the Maha Sangha with the participation of prominent monks and a large gathering of officers, other rankers and next of kin of SLAVF War Hero families. 

On the founder’s day (April 1), the anniversary programme assumes greater significance with military component joining the series of commemorative arrangements. A Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour salute the SLAVF Commandant on that day (April 1) in conformity with military traditions after the SLAVF Commandant arrives at the SLAVF Headquarters. 

On the same occasion the 135th anniversary programme receives more recognition with the release of the maiden SLAVF volume, ‘Ranawaruna’, which documents the entire life span of the SLAVF which has rendered an invaluable service hand in hand with fellow-troops of the regular force of the Sri Lanka Army, the Media briefing was told. 

On the anniversary day, all serving officers and other rankers are expected to enjoy an all rank lunch treat at the SLAVF Headquarters premises. 

As the final segment of the anniversary programme, a special lunch treat is to be served to the inmates at Hanwella Elders’ Home after hundreds of troops attend a self-help community service (Shramadana) inside the Kosgama Hospital premises for a clean-up programme, showing goodwill to the general public.

Monday’s (28) Media briefing was attended by Major General W.D.L.P Wickramasinghe, Deputy Commandant, SLAVF and several other officers. 

The SLAVF with more than 2,000 officers and 60,000 other rankers comprises of a large gathering of highly skilled and recognized professionals and tradesmen who are engaged in national security duties and rebuilding of the country’s infrastructure.