All island-wide Army formations in parallel with the main 73rd Army Anniversary ceremonies at the Army Headquarters (10 Oct) conducted their own respective arrangements and programmes giving pride of place to the reading of the Commander’s Anniversary Message.

The 52 Division HQ under the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna contributed to the commemoration by way of distributing 75 dry ration packets among 75 deserving families in Kopai area on Monday (10). The donation, sponsored jointly by the GOC, 52 Division and his troops who volunteered to foot the cost of those essentials.

The gesture as a symbol of goodwill between members of the Tamil community and the Army was given the green light by Major General Chandana Wijesundara, Commander, SF-J. Major General Sanjeewa Fernando, General Officer Commanding, 52 Division implemented the project with the support of his troops in the 52 Division.

The distribution programme, coloured with cultural and dancing performances, jointly presented by students at J/Karambakurichchi Primary School and Varani Central College entertained the beneficiaries who had arrived at the 52 Division HQ.

Major General Sanjeewa Fernando as the Chief Guest gave away those relief packets, each worth Rs 5000/= to the beneficiaries during the arrangement at the 52 Division. Mr Kannadasan, Principal, J/Karambakurichchi Primary School, Mr Raj Sudakar, Grama Niladari, Eluthumaduwal and several others were present.

In the meantime, 11 Division HQ troops at Kundasale, had their own 73rd Army Anniversary programmes. Raising of the Army flag, recital of the Army song, observance of 1 minute silence in memory of fallen War Heroes, reading of the Commander’s Message, self-help community Shramadana project in the herbal garden and an All Rank lunch were among formal features that marked the anniversary day on Monday (10).

In addition, Major General P.S Kalpa Sanjeewa, GOC, 11 Division inaugurated the newly-renovated Lecture Hall of the 11 Division HQ on account of the Army Day.

Similarly, the SFHQ-J adding their share to the commemoration of the 73rd Army Anniversary held its own programme at the SFHQ-J premises on Monday (10), headed by Major General Chandana Wijesundara, Commander, SF-J.

Raising of the Army flag, recital of the Army song, observance of 1 minute silence in memory of fallen War Heroes, reading of the Commander’s Message, sapling planting project and an All Rank lunch added variety to the day’s commemorative events at the SFHQ-J. Similarly, Brigadier Dhammika Karunapala, Brigadier General Staff and Brigadier Anura Bandara, Brigadier Admin and Quartering, together with SFHQ-J troops joined the event and planted hundreds of medicinal herbs in the Army maintained herbal garden inside the SFHQ-J.

The Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-Cen) commanded by Major General Samantha Silva in the meantime, joined the commemoration of the 73rd Army Anniversary at the SFHQ-Cen premises on Monday (10).

Raising of the Army flag, recital of the Army song, observance of 1 minute silence in memory of fallen War Heroes, reading of the Commander’s Message and an All Rank lunch were among formal features that marked the anniversary day at the SFHQ-Central.

In addition, saplings of Jack, Kumbuk, Mee and several varieties were planted inside the camp premises by the troops with the support of an official in the Diyatalawa Wildlife Department’s range office. Likewise, SFHQ-Cen troops launched a self-help cleaning programme inside the Kahagolla Sri Gnanarama Monastery as one more anniversary project. Afterwards, Major General Samantha Silva together with all Officers and Other Ranks enjoyed a lunch treat on account of the Army day.

Meanwhile, the 73rd Army Day commemorative arrangements at the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) HQ at Salawa, Kosgama kicked off giving priority to the raising of the Army flag and the SLAVF flag, recital of the Army song, observance of 1 minute silence in memory of fallen War Heroes, reading of the Commander’s Message and an All Rank lunch were among formal features that marked the anniversary day.

On the same occasion, 93 Officers and 2769 Other Ranks of the SLAVF who were elevated to their respective next ranks by the Commander of the Army on the Army Day were felicitated by the SLAVF, Commandant, Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa as a gesture of appreciation. All Officers promoted as Majors and Captains were awarded a special medal of authority by the Commandant, SLAVF after inviting all of them to the office of the Commandant.

Major General Thusitha Silva, Deputy Commandant, SLAVF as the Chief Guest participated in the day’s first part of the anniversary ceremonies, together with Principal Staff Officers and Brigadier Logistics. The SLAVF Commandant afterwards joined the All Rank lunch at the premises as the final leg of the anniversary programmes.

Meanwhile, 15 (V) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) troops at the Periyawalauyankaddu camp in Vavuniya in a special food security programme sowed paddy in a field stretch of about 3 acres and planted 200 coconut saplings in the camp premises to coincide with the 73rd Army Day. The Commanding Officer, 15 (V) SLSR Major R.M.J.B Rajapaksa attended the programme as the Chief Guest.

Meanwhile, the 543 Brigade HQ at Pesalai, Mannar contributed to the commemoration of the 73rd Army Day by donating 100 dry ration packets among 100 needy families, resident in the general area of Mannar. The event took place at the Mannar Town Hall, headed by Major General Darshana Wijesekera, General Officer Commanding, 54 Division and Brigadier Thushara Harasgama Brigade Commander, 543 Brigade.

Financial sponsorship for the project was collectively provided by Ms Sujeewa Rathnayake, Assistant Director of Shanthi Community Animation Movement, Cool Man Ice Factory, 11 Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment troops and 4 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops.

In the meantime, Security Force Headquarters – East (SFHQ-E) troops with 16 Sri Lanka National Guard troops on account of the 73rd Army Anniversary provided a free lunch and entertainment to 100 pre-school kids learning at ‘Maranatha’ and ‘Balduwar’ Pre-schools at Annamale - Ampara.

On the guidelines given by the Commander, Security Forces – East, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, the project was launched as per directions of the General Officer Commanding, 24 Division, Major General Vajira Welagedara. The Commander, 241 Brigade, Brigadier Chandra Abeykoon closely supervised the project.

Meanwhile, 17 Officers and 680 Other Ranks of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA), just elevated to their next rank in parallel with the 73rd Army Anniversary had the privilege of receiving their new rank insignia from Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe, Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment and Commander Security Forces - Mullaittivu as the Chief Guest during a ceremony, held at the SLA Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda on 10 October 2022. Major General Shiran Abeysekera, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo and Major General Janaka Ranasinghe also joined adorning those new rankers.

In conjunction with the 73rd Army day, two new desktop computers with new Internet connections and an electric water pump were donated to the new Perakumba Primary School in Galapitamada in Kegalle district on Tuesday (11) under the guidance of Brigadier Sujeewa Pagoda, Brigade Commander, 611 Brigade. The full sponsorship was provided for this noble charity by Mrs Priyanthi Gamage, a US-based expatriate.

Troops of the 613 Brigade of the 61 Division under command to the Security Force HQ-West on account of the Army Anniversary gave lunch and gifts to 45 inmates at Karunaratne Elder’s Home before they were entertained to Calypso music by Army troops.

Meanwhile, 233 Brigade Headquarters troops under the 23 Division on account of the 73rd Army anniversary joined an environment-friendly drive by planting jackfruit saplings in the area and cleaning the coastal area in the general area of Vakarai on Sunday (10). The General Officer Commanding, 23 Division, Major General Shewanth Kulathunge, 233 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Wasantha Hewage, troops under command carried out those projects.

Similarly, troops of the 6 Gajaba Regiment launched a cleaning project at Valachchanai Hospital before they joined hands and cleaned up the coastal beach in Vakarai are during the whole of Sunday (9) and conducted the sapling planting on Monday (10).

In the meantime, troops of 7 Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment cleaned up the Ayurveda Hospital at Minneriya. On Monday (10), troops of 9 Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment offered alms to those who had observed Sil on Vap Poya day at Gemunu Maha viharaya in Sinhapura. Respective Officers and Other Ranks were present in the events.

In the evening on Sunday (09), a Bodhi Puja Pinkama got underway at the temple in SFHQ-East camp premises. On the anniversary day, the Army flag was hoisted at the Headquarters premises in Welikanda with the participation of the Brigadier General Staff, Brigadier Sujeewa Jayasinghe followed by the recital of the Army Song.

Afterwards, a two-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland was observed and the message of the Commander of the Army issued to mark the 73rd Army Day was read out by the Staff officer 1(Admin) Lieutenant Colonel Lal Pramachandra.

Afterwards, troops conducted a Shramadana campaign at Walukaramaya Temple at Welikanda and joined an All Rank lunch with all Officers and Other Ranks in the camp. In the afternoon, a cricket match was played and winners were awarded, Brigadier General Staff, Brigadier Sujeewa Jayasinghe gave away those awards.

The close supervision of the Commander, 231 Brigade, Brigadier Dilupa Bandara meanwhile saw troops of 4 Gemunu Watch Regiment camp, donating a stock of dry rations and essential items to deserving families in Unnachchiya area on the 73rd Army Anniversary day on Monday (10).

The donation programme of 40 dry ration packs, each worth Rs 4,000/= was held at the ‘Fishermen’s Society’ hall premises after selecting the worst-affected families in the area. Brigadier Dilupa Bandara, Commander, 231 Brigade as the Chief Guest, together with the Civil Affairs Officer, 231 Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Dammika Weerasinghe, Commanding Officer, 4 Gemunu Watch Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Menaka Gunarathna with Officers and Other ranks joined the event. Troops used their own resources for the meritorious project.

Meanwhile, troops of 16 Sri Lanka National Guard organized a ‘Shramadana’ campaign at Annamalai Rural Hospital premises in Ampara.

Accordingly, the programme was conducted on Monday (10) in parallel with the 73rd Army Anniversary day. The Commanding Officer, 16 Sri Lanka National Guard, Major Manjula Alawatta, Several Officers and Other Ranks joined to make the event a success.

Troops of the 22 Division and the 221 Brigade of the Security Force HQ-East on account of the 73rd Army anniversary meanwhile offered a special lunch for 30 children at ‘Rewatha’ Children’s Home in Trincomalee on Monday (10). At the same occasion, a stock of essentials and accessories were also delivered to the centre. A musical programme, presented by Army personnel entertained those orphaned children. Five members of the staff were also given meals during the same project.

Similarly, the Commander, Security Forces - East, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena along with troops attached to the Security Force Headquarters - East attended a mammoth ‘Bodhi Pooja’ Pinkama at Dimbulagala Forest Monastery in order to invoke blessings on the 73rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.

Accordingly, the Chief Monk of Dimbulagala Aranya Senasan temple along with 50 monks residing in nearby temples in the area conducted the ‘Bohdi Pooja Pinkama’ and invoked blessings on the troops of the Sri Lanka Army on Thursday (13).

Civil Affairs Officer Security Force HQ - East, Lieutenant Colonel Prabhath Halpage, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks enthusiastically contributed to the events.

Similarly, in line with the 73rd Army Anniversary, troops of the 551 Brigade offered a special lunch to the children and adults at Sri Paramananda Children’s and Elders’ Home at Vathiri, Karaweddy on Sunday (9).

Brigadier Chinthaka Wickramasinghe, Commander, 551 Brigade acting under the instructions of Major General Prasanna Gunaratne, General Officer Commanding of the 55 Division organized the event with Major Vijitha Ramyakumara, Commanding Officer, 16 Sri Lanka Light Infantry. Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the event.

In the meantime, troops of the 241 Brigade and 18 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment conducted a coastal belt clean-up programme in Akkareipatthu and Kalmunai areas on account of the 73rd Army Anniversary day on Monday (10).

Furthermore, the Commanding Officer of 18 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Dharshana Sirisena, Several Officers and Other Ranks joined the event.

Meanwhile, troops of the Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) Regimental Headquarters at Karandeniya organized a relief programme by donating dry ration packs for 50 needy families living in Karandeniya area on Sunday (9) to coincide with the 73rd Army anniversary.

With the financial support, extended by the China - Sri Lanka Journalists Association, the distribution of relief packs, each worth Rs 6,000/= contained rice, dhal, potatoes, milk powder, chilly, spices, serials, etc.

The event was organized under the direction of Brigadier Prabodha Siriwardena, MIC Center Commandant.

Senior Officers, Officers, State Officials and Other Ranks participated in the arrangement.

In the meantime, Security Force Headquarters - Wanni had their own 73rd Anniversary and Army Day celebrations at the HQ giving pride of place to formalities such as the hosting of the Army Flag, recital of the Army song, observance of one-minute silence, reading of the Commander’s message and an all rank lunch at the Headquarters complex.

Major General Champaka Ranasinghe, Commander, Security Forces - Wanni as the Chief Guest attended the ceremony, together with all officers.

In a special project, SFHQ-W troops planted 73 saplings of herbal and domestic value inside the complex as part of the anniversary programme.

Similarly, 7 Sri Lanka Sinha regiment (SLSR) troops of the SFHQ-W on account of the Army Day carried out a cleaning programme along the Erupothana lake embankment and the road that leads to the lake on Saturday (8).

Lieutenant Colonel M.A.J.M Perera, Commanding Officer, 7 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment gave instructions to this effect and made the project a success.

Meanwhile, 532 Brigade’s Commander and his troops organized and coordinated the distribution of essential school accessories among 80 children in the Pussalawinna Primary School in Mawanagama, Sandunpura, Dehiattakandiya on account of the 73rd Army Anniversary and Army Day on Monday (10 October 2022).

With sponsorship provided by ‘Yuthukama’ Non Governmental Organization, troops actively arranged those gift packets, inclusive of accessories, educational text books and supplementary ones, pens and pencils, exercise books, etc before they were taken to the school for distribution.

During the event, a handicapped mother of a student in the same school received a wheelchair free of charge with the support of the same sponsoring agency.

Zonal Education Director of Dehiaththakandiya, 532 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Sumal Wickramasekara, few Senior Officers and Other Ranks joined the event.

In parallel with the 73rd Army Day anniversary, the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Sapugaskanda gifted 100 packs of dry rations and consumable items to members of the civil staff serving the DSCSC on the Army day.

The event was organized on the directions of the Commandant of the DSCSC, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo in appreciation of the services, being rendered by them. Brigadier Anil Peiris, Deputy Commandant coordinated and launched the project.

Meanwhile, 612 Brigade HQ of the 61 Division on the directions of Brigadier L.G.B Kariyawasam, 612 Brigade Commander on account of the Army Day cleaned up the Meegahatenna District Hospital and MOH office compound as part of the anniversary programme. 32 Army personnel including Officers participated in the project.

In the meantime, 551 Brigade HQ of the SFHQ-J on account of the Army Day offered a special lunch treat to the children and adults, residing at Sri Paramananda Children’s & Elders’ Home at Vathirikaraveddi on October 9. Brigadier Chinthaka Wickramasinghe, 551 Brigade Commander with Officers and the Commanding Officer of 16 SLLI infantry troops joined the programme.

Similarly, 19 Gemunu Watch troops of the 593 Brigade under the 59 Division of the SFHQ-MLT in connection with the 73rd Army Anniversary launched a community project and cleaned up the Kokilai Sri Sambodhi temple premises with the participation of 22 members of the Army including Officers.

In addition, 59 Division HQ of the SFHQ-MLT adding its share to the Army Day commemoration as the first segment of the day’s programme planted valuable saplings, like Kumbuk, Margosa, Mahogani, etc inside the 59 Division HQ compound on the Army Day. Similarly, a group of 31 Army troops cleaned up the sacred Wattappalai Kannaki Amman Kovil premises as part of the anniversary programmes. On the same day, Major General R.M.M Ranasinghe, GOC, 59 Division with the intention of transferring merits to departed War Heroes and blessing the wounded organized a ‘Bodhi Pooja’ Pinkama inside the camp premises, the same evening (10).

Expecting to assist alleviate economic hardships of low-income group families, resident in areas served by 543 Brigade troops, the Shanti Community Animation Movement, together with Cool Man Ice Factory at the invitation of the Army meanwhile provided dry rations to 100 families as a project that coincides with the Army Day (10 October).

With the blessings of Major General Champaka Ranasinghe, Commander, Security Forces-Wanni and the 54 Division's General Officer Commanding, the Commander, 543 Brigade, Brigadier Thushara Harasgama with his troops organized the distribution after inviting the beneficiaries to the 543 Brigade Headquarters.

Distribution of each pack, worth about Rs 5000/= contained rice, dhal, cereals, spices, milk powder, etc was attended by Mrs Sujeewa Rathnayake of ‘Shanti Community Animation Movement', Major General Dharshana Wijesekera, General Officer Commanding, 54 Division, Commander, 543 Brigade, Brigadier Thushara Harasgama, Civil Affairs Officer of the 54 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Amith Mangala and several other Officers.

Meanwhile, 532 Brigade troops on account of the 73rd Army Day programme on 10 October 2022 provided essential school accessories to students at Pussalawinna Primary School in Mawanagama, Sandunpura in addition to the offer of a wheelchair to a handicapped mother in the area.

The programme was sponsored by the 'Yuthukama' charity organization in response to a request, made by Brigadier Sumal Wickramasekara, Commander 532 Brigade of the 53 Division. The Zonal Education Director of Dehiaththakandiya, Commander 532 Brigade, few Senior Officers and Other Ranks attended the event.