“So Goodbye Comrades”

Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle on the eve of his retirement from the Army after an illustrious career of nearly forty years spent his last couple of hours on Wednesday (June 30, 2004) to bid adieu to a representative gathering of troops whom he loved so dearly and commanded.

Immediately after official hand-over of his duties to his successor, Army Commander designate, Lt. Gen S. H. S Kottegoda at the office inside Army Headquarters, the new Commander designate unveiled a photograph of the outgoing Army Commander Lt. Gen Balagalle.

The farewell ceremony reached its climax when the Commander designate conducted the outgoing Army chief to the main entrance at the Army Headquarters to receive the Guard of Honour where the outgoing Chief was invited by Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery to inspect the Guard of Honour accorded by the regiment. Dressed in review order uniform, Senior Officers lining up to suit their seniority bade farewell to their outgoing Chief later after the Commander designate conducted his predecessor to them and did the courtesy introduction as the rhythmic beats of Scotish “Auld Lang Syne,” meant to express feelings of friendship for the sake of good times, pierced the air.

The next was the tri-service Guard of Honour at the Joint Operations Headquarters accorded in his honour as Chief of Defence Staff after he drove through the lined-up troops to reach the premises amidst greetings \"Jayashri\". Attired in their colourful ceremonial uniforms, members of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force accorded this salute to their departing military Chief in a very dignified and solemn manner as the retiring Chief walked past. Lt Gen Balagalle, a true friend of the media and as someone who never minced words or hid the truth from exposure met media men gathered around him and shared a couple of thoughts about matters that were of concern to them before he said adieu.

Here is the full text of the outgoing Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle\'s address to the troops;

After having served nearly for four years as 16th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the moment to say goodbye to you has dawned today. It has been a privilege and a pleasure for me to have worked with you nearly for forty years since the day I joined the Sri Lanka Army.

\"All of us, other than anybody else have undergone the cruel realities of the long-drawn war for over 20 years. In the wake of it, two years ago our hopes were rekindled after signs of peace dawned on us as the Nation looked forward to it with much admiration. In creating that atmosphere, the great sacrifice, dedication and efficiency you all have shown, is well understood by the whole of the country now. My overwhelming tribute at this moment of significance goes to all those war heroes who paid supreme sacrifice and became disabled in effecting that national task.” Lt. Gen Balagalle added. “It looks as if I have been exceptionally fortunate to command an army, so much rich with wide fighting experiences in the battlefield and matured knowledge. When viewed at global level, it is now clear that no other army in the world is so committed to wage a cruel war of this nature that lasted for over two decades uninterruptedly,\" he reminded.

The Command of an Army, comprising of men of your calibre befell me in the aftermath of a series of disastrous and decisive clashes, and also at a juncture when a new bout of counter-terrorist operations were successfully launched. Our first priority at that time was to re-organize ourselves again and forge ahead. You all successfully took on those essential targets which were very challenging and arduous. In the course of this three-year long ceasefire, we were orientated towards reviving our training capacities and also getting our strength reorganized for the sake of our tomorrow.

Time has come for you to share your wide experiences and mature knowledge in the name of the world peace. That opportunity for us, as members of peacekeeping missions, has been granted to us, none other than an organization like the United Nations. Despatch of Army troops as UN observers and founding of the Kukuleganga Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka, can be cited as initial steps taken in this direction. Our troops obtained a host of novel experiences subsequent to the successful completion of the Multinational Platoon Exercise, and we must realize that this sphere of experience and knowledge could be further strengthened after their planned assignments in Haiti in the near future.

It is opportune for me to cite a couple of welfare measures that were implemented for the benefit of all of you who fearlessly fight for the Army and the country regardless of their own lives. It is expected that a solution to your most acute Housing problem could be resolved through Ranviru Village Projects and Ranaviru Housing Complex projects which have by now reached a certain phase of progress. I am sure you would be able to reap the harvest of those avenues open to you in time to come.

Major General Shantha Kottegoda, one of the very Senior Officers in the Army who assumes duties tomorrow as 17th Commander of the Army has wide experiences in operational duties for many long years and is a very mature knowledgeable Senior Officer. Under his leadership and command, I am sure, you will be able to march forward further and reach your noble goals. Officers, Soldiers and Women Soldiers,

I hope, you will extend your best cooperation and encouragement to the new Commander too in a better way than you did to me. In conducting administrative work related to civil affairs in the Army, the support extended to me by the Director Civil Administration, Chief Accountant and members of the civil staff could not be forgotten. If not for your support, those of us who are devoted to warfare would not have been able to conduct our administrative affairs in their proper order. Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you, members of your families, civil staff and all others who led me courageously to meet army's operational goals and other administrative matters. I wish all of you a prosperous future. May blessings of the Triple Gem and all deities be with you !