Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA), one of the oldest and reputed regiments in the Sri Lanka Army which marked its 125th anniversary on 12th April, was honoured by none other than the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (23) by awarding President’s and Regimental Colours in a spectacular ceremony held at SLA Regimental Centre, Panagoda.
Presidential Colours is recognized and held in high esteem as the highest accolade a regiment could receive in its life-span as a tribute to the invaluable services and numerous sacrifices it had so far made for the defence of the country. It also symbolizes a gesture of veneration to the memories of 43 officers and 529 other ranks who made the supreme sacrifice during the 30 year long terrorism. Furthermore it represents a salute to over 18 officers and 300 other ranks who became disabled due to injuries sustained in the fighting.
The Artillery Regiment as a fully-fledged professional outfit to this date has produced three past Commanders of the Army, 19 Major Generals and a fine assortment of sportsmen, including those who excelled in the Asian Athletic Championship, World Military Games and Asian Games in Qatar, bringing bronze medals home.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, accompanied by Colonel Commandant SLA, Major General J. C. Rambukpotha warmly received the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on arrival at the SLA Regimental Centre premises and conducted him to the saluting dais to review the parade soon after the President drove past a Guard Turnout, a military honour accorded to the visiting Chief Guest.
Religious observances afterwards invoked blessings on the award of Colours as Colonel Commandant, representing all ranks lined up before the Commander-in-Chief to receive symbolic gestures of honour, after citations over SLA bravery were announced. Amidst military formalities and traditions, President’s Colours and Regimental Colours were then awarded by the President.
Secretary to HE the President, Mr. Lalih Weeratunge, Secretary Defence & Urban Development, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, Past Commanders of the Army, senior Army officers and a distinguished gathering, graced the ceremony for award of President’s Colours and Regimental Colours to SLA.
President Rajapaksa, adding a few words to the occasion a few minutes later, traced the country’s history to the times of King Rajasinghe the 1st, according to the legend, who used the first locally made piece of artillery to defeat the Portuguese army in the 16th century. Speaking of the local soldiers who informed the King, the arrival of Portuguese to Colombo in 1505, the President said “those men have referred to wine as Blood and bread as Marbles. That shows they did not know about bred or wine then; but they have told the king that the visitors have Artillery. That indicates the Sri Lankans have had some knowledge of Artillery, even before the arrival of European powers to the island way back in 1505”.
Towards the end of the day’s itinerary, the President planted a tree sapling at the SLA premises to mark the occasion followed by Mr. Lalith Weeratunge, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Lieutenant General Jayasuriya who also joined the President.
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