16th December 2023 17:00:51 Hours
The Sri Lanka Army's most prestigious seat of military learning at Diyatalawa, the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) with a proven record of academia and glory once again honoured the Mother Lanka on Saturday (16) by gifting 279 more full-fledged Cadet Officers to the Sri Lanka Army.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon President Ranil Wickremesinghe added dignity and prominence to the Passing out Parade (PoP) as the Chief Guest at the invitation of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu where a total of 279 Cadet Officers from Intakes 92, 92 B and SC 20 including six foreign Cadet Officers of the Maldives, Rwanda, Senegal and Sudan during their POP received the Swords, symbolic of their Presidential Commission from the day’s Chief Guest, Hon President.
Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne(Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Past Commanders, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, and the host, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army and a distinguished gathering, including foreign Defence Advisors/Attachés, Tri-Service Senior Officers, the spouse of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Chithrani Gunaratne, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Janaki Liyanage, Spouses of Senior Officers, Parents and next of kin of Cadet Officers witnessed the SLMA's 98th PoP.
Heralding the commencement of the day's proceedings, a procession led by a cavalcade brought the Chief Guest to the SLMA Parade Square before Sri Lanka Military Academy troops presented a Guard Turnout to the day’s Chief Guest, Hon President Ranil Wickremesinghe at first in accordance with military traditions.
A few seconds later, the day's Chief Guest, together with his host, not forgetful of invaluable past sacrifices of fallen War Heroes laid a floral wreath at the SLMA war memorial, situated overlooking the parade ground as the first segment in the day’s agenda and honoured the memory of fallen patriots of the armed forces in a solemn minute of silence as all spectators stood up in reverence.
The SLMA parade ground, well poised in a setting of a very magnificent spectacle of national importance with fluttering multi-coloured military flags in the background to suit the day’s nationally-significant event, then turned to be a hive of activity as the Parade Commander, Major U.S Ranaweera psc of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps sought the formal permission from the day’s Chief Guest on the special dais, to continue the rest of the proceedings.
After the formal review of the parade, the Chief Guest began awarding the most precious President’s Commissioning Swords to graduating Officer Cadets, symbolizing their much-admired authority before receiving the salute from the new officers. After a while, the day’s Chief Guest presented special awards to the Best Achievers in separate Intakes as the gathering lent a roar of applause.
These new Cadet Officers, possessive of essential knowledge on warfare, skills and attitudes as lower tactical level leaders with a sound basis for bright career prospects and life-time of improvement would take up operational and strategic level responsibilities in the future.
In his brief speech to the graduates, Hon President congratulated them on their achievements and requested them to perform their duties with responsibility and diligence.
Adding excitement to the day's distinguished guests, the newly-commissioned Officers climbed the steps of the famous 'Makara Thorana' (archway) and proudly marched off for the final time from the same parade ground where they once received training to march and salute in the company of the mounted SLMA Adjutant. Backup squads in the parade ground followed suit afterwards.
Soon after the commissioning parade, in a separate assembly at the Sino-Lanka Friendship Auditorium, along with the SLMA Commandant, Major General M.T.I Mahalekam WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc, the day’s distinguished guests and parents afterwards joined adorning the shoulders of brave young Officers with the insignia of the President’s Commission as one more customary feature in the day’s spectacle (Pipping Ceremony). It was a moment of rejoice, filled with cherished memories for those beloved ones of the new graduates who had hitherto missed them so much during their training period.
Here follows the list of Award Winners:
Regular Officer Cadet Intake 92
First-In-Order of Merit - Officer Cadet P.G.S Prasaditha
The Sword of Honour - Battalion Under Officer H.S.S Gallage
Regular Officer Cadet Intake 92 B
First-In-Order of Merit - Company Under Officer H.L.I Kavinda
The Sword of Honour - Company Under Officer H.L.I Kavinda
Cane of Honour - Platoon Under Officer J.M.V Rukundo
Regular Officer Cadet Intake SC 20
First-In-Order of Merit - Platoon Under Officer R.N.A.M.K.B Warakagoda
