Published on - 3/23/2005
Fifty seven soldiers after their ten-week long Tae Kwon Do training course passed out recently at the Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps grounds in Kankesanthurai at a display graced by Major General S.D Tennakoon, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna as Chief Guest.
On completion of the course based on this widely acclaimed marshal art, those fifty seven soldiers were graded after a competency test, conducted by Master Ki Su Lee, Army Tae Kwon Do coach, and Warrant Officer 11 H.H.Premathilake.
Day's proceedings got under way after the Chief Guest and other Senior Officers lit the traditional oil lamp, marking the inauguration of the event which comprised an impressive display presented by Army Tae Kwon Do instructors and others in the pool.
Following an initiative taken by Brigadier K.S. Fernando, President Sri Lanka Army Tae Kwon Do Committee, that training programme was made available for the soldiers in the northern part of the island.
Tae Kwon Do, practiced by marshal arts enthusiasts in more than 150 countries including Sri Lanka was originated in Korea over some 20 centuries ago. It has now become a popular sport among Sri Lankan Army soldiers.
Army Tae Kwon Do players, to their credit in the recent past have secured an international record by winning a bronze medal after 12 years in the World Defence Tae Kwon Do Championship.
Furthermore Sri Lankan Army Tae Kwon Do team won the highest number of medals including the first golden medal in the First Open Asian Tae Kwon Do Championship held in Malaysia. A brief account on this was given by the organizers at the ceremony in Kankesanthurai.
Certificates and awards were distributed by Major General S.D Tennakoon and Brigadier P. Pannipitiya, Commander 51 Division. Major General Tennakoon, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna presented a special memento to Master Ki Su Lee in appreciation of his services.
Major General S. D.Tennakoon and Master Ki Su Lee addressed the gathering. A large gathering of Senior and Junior Officers as well as Other Ranks enjoyed the display.
