Defender of the Nation
In line with the vision of the Commander of the Army, the Sri Lanka Army launched a far-reaching humanitarian initiative to uplift rural communities in the Wanni region on 5 September 2025. The programme, supervised by the Judge Advocate General, Brigadier R.D.O. Pathiranage and his family, extended vital support to the villagers of Uyilankulam and Thenniyankulam.
The Inter Regiment Wrestling Championship 2025 was held on 01, 02 and 03 September 2025 at the Army Indoor Stadium, Panagoda. More than 120 athletes representing 10 regiments competed in the championship, demonstrating exceptional skill, discipline and sportsmanship.
The Directorate of Veterans’ Affairs & Rehabilitation conducted the ‘Military to Civilian (M2C): Preparing and Empowering Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers for Life Beyond Service’ programme on 09 September 2025 at the Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
Major General H.T.W. Vidyananda RWP RSP USP, General Officer Commanding, 12 Infantry Division, was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 09 September 2025, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after completing a distinguished military career spanning over 33 years.
The 16th Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) underwent its first Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) Inspection since assuming duties on 04 July 2025. The inspection was conducted on 04 September 2025 as the 3rd Quarter COE assessment for the year, by a team of 18 officials from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the Sri Base in Naqoura.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, attended a religious programme organised by the Security Forces Headquarters (West) on 07 September 2025 at Sri Bodhirajaramaya Temple, Panagoda, in line with Binara Poya Day.
To provide safe drinking water to villagers severely affected by kidney disease, the ‘Randiya’ water purification project commenced on 30 May 2025 with the construction of a Reverse Osmosis plant. The newly installed plant was officially inaugurated on 26 August 2025 at Kohomban Kulama village.
The Directorate of Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) conducted an awareness programme at Security Forces Headquarters (East) on 15 August 2025, with the participation of Officers and Other Ranks. Brigadier T.G.N De Silva, Director of ABF, conducted the programme by explaining the Fund’s role in supporting welfare and financial security of Army personnel, highlighting benefits, procedures, and the importance of proper documentation.
In parallel with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and in collaboration with the Wild Tuskers organisation, a large-scale environmental conservation programme was launched under the directions of the Commander of the Army to remove invasive plant species obstructing the lifestyle of elephants along the Kala Wewa tank bund in the 212 Infantry Brigade area.
