16th December 2023 16:57:53 Hours
The presentation of the final research study of Officer Cadets at Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), set to pass out ceremonially on Saturday (16) after receiving their commission during an eye-catching and elegant spectacle occurred Friday (15) evening at the SLMA's 'Sino-Lanka Friendship' auditorium in the presence of the event's Chief Guest, Hon President Ranil Wickremesinghe, distinguished invitees and the cream of the defence establishment.
General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army and a gathering of Senior Officers and other dignitaries were there to witness and evaluate their novel professionalism that could open up whole new vistas in their future career as heroic defenders of the motherland.
As the stage was set, those potential Officers proudly and collectively presented their well-prepared compendium of research findings under the theme ‘Enhancing United Nations Peacekeeping Capabilities of the Sri Lanka Army’ to the audience in an impressive manner. It followed an interactive question-answer session where the audience, including the President commented and guided those budding officers further on different aspects of the thematic topic. The presentation of the final research is a compulsory module in their training before they qualify for commissioning in conformity with SLMA traditions.
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army after delivering some advice to the Officer Cadets invited Hon. President with an appreciative note, to deliver his expertise views and comments to the graduating Officer Cadets, the following day (16).
Towards the conclusion of the Officer Cadets' presentation, the release of the SLMA journal and uploading of its e-copy took place following an invitation, extended by Major General M.T.I Mahalekam WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc, SLMA Commandant. The first copy of the journal was presented to Hon President Ranil Wickremesinghe and all other distinguished guests bringing the academic presentation ceremony to an end.
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 were also among the invitees present at the presentation ceremony.
