27th February 2022 19:04:31 Hours
Well-trained 6 Officers and 324 Other Ranks of the Reserve Strike Force (RSF) who successfully completed the Basic Airmobile Course No - 24 received the prestigious Air Assault insignia on Wednesday (23) during an eventful formal Passing out Parade, held at Nikawewa Airmobile Training School (AMTS).
The day’s Chief Guest for the ceremony Major General Harendra Ranasinghe on arrival at the location was received by Major General Sanjeewa Frenando, General Officer Commanding, 53 Division in the company of Colonel Ramesh Mangala, Commandant, AMTS after a Guard Turnout salute at the entrance to the AMTS premises greeted him in accordance with military formalities.
After the Chief Guest arrived at the parade ground, he was then invited to review the parade and receive the salute of those new graduates. The Chief Guest Major General Harendra Ranasinghe, together with Major General Lal Chandrasiri, Commander, Security Forces - East, Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu, Major General Upali Gunasekara, General Officer Commanding, 62 Division, Major General Sanjeewa Frenando, General Officer Commanding, 53 Division afterwards symbolized the successful completion of the Course by pinning the prestigious Air assault badge on those Air Mobile Brigade troops.
The next moment marked the presentation of appreciative trophies and certificates to soldiers who did exceptionally well and excelled during the 2 month-long Air Mobile Training Course. Accordingly, the Award for the Best Student and Best Shooter went to Corporal R. D. P Priyankara of 1 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and Sergeant R.P.D Nandasiri of 3 Gajaba Regiment received the award for the Best Student in Physical Fitness from the Chief Guest.
Adding memories to the day's event, those newly passed out Air Mobile troops with the Chief Guest, Senior Officers and Instructors afterwards posed for group photographs before the day’s main segment drew to a close.
The occasion turned more attractive as those troops demonstrating their freshly acquired capabilities in the Air Mobile Course added excitement and thrill staged a set of their skills such as Hand to Hand combat, weapon assembling and disassembling, rappelling, etc. A colourful Band Display conducted by Regimental bands of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Gemunu Watch, Gajaba Regiment and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment adding variety brought the day’s proceedings to end.
Brigadier Subath Sanjeewa, Commander, Airmobile Brigade, Commanding Officers, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks witnessed the day’s ceremony, held adhering to health precautions.
