Army Chief Graces Matale Vijaya College Sports Meet as Chief Guest

The annual Sports Meet of Vijaya College, Matale, got underway on a grand scale on Friday (03 May) at the Bernard Aluvihare Stadium. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army, who is also an old boy of Vijaya College, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

At the outset, the Commander of the Army was warmly welcomed by Mr. Rajitha Theekshana, Principal of Vijaya College, together with the Head Prefects of the college, and he was ushered to the pavilion by the Eastern Music Band.

A number of athletic events filled the Sports Meet with enthusiasm, while band displays added colour to the event. During the event, Brigadier S.M.W.B.N Thalagahawatta (Rtd) ato, Vice President of the Vijaya College Old Boys’ Association - Colombo Branch, presented a newly-designed car badge of the college to the Army Chief.

Reaching the climax of the day’s event, the school students paid their utmost respect and honour to the Commander of the Army by saluting him in a colourful March Past. Addressing the gathering, the day’s chief guest recalled memories from his school life and encouraged students to maintain sports and extracurricular activities at a high standard while successfully pursuing their studies.

During the closing ceremony, the Army Chief, together with Senior Officers and other invitees, gave away awards to the winners of the annual sports meet.

Soon after the sports meet, the Commander of the Army took some time off to visit the school and handed over a stock of musical instruments to the Western Music Band of the college, culminating the day’s itinerary.

Mr. D.M.M Ranaraja, a former Ambassador and an old boy of the college, Colonel M.B.B.N Herath RSP, Director Media & Spokesman of the Ministry of Defence and an old boy of the college, Senior Officers, Officers, old boys of the college, teachers, students and parents also participated in the event.