PRIZE AWARDING ceremony of the year’s colourful Inter Regimental Drill Competition took place at Army Headquarters ground Thursday (15) evening where Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya graced as Chief Guest.
At the commencement of the day’s proceedings, display of Drills that testified to the discipline of Army soldiers have received was held amidst loud cheering of the spectators. It followed the Band Display that added rhythmic music to the occasion in their multi-coloured military attires. After they showcased their skills, their Regimental Commanders congratulated respective platoons of Drill and Bands on their impressive achievements and gave away medals and certificates.
The climax of the day’s events was the presentation of trophies to the best platoon leaders, both men and women in respective Drill platoons. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Chief Guest on the occasion afterwards gave away medals in appreciation of their contribution to the whole event and congratulated each and every one of them. He also presented the symbolic flag pole to the Best Commanders in the platoons.
In the Inter Regiment Drill Competition, the Sri Lanka National Guards emerged the winner and Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and Sri Lanka Armoured Corps platoons were adjudged first and second runners-up.
In the women’s sector, 1 Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps platoon secured the overall championship out of all the platoons.
Captain R.S.L Bodaragama of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was adjudged the Best Platoon Commander in the competition while the award for the Best Woman Platoon Commander went to Captain M.P.R Wijesinghe of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the end of the ceremony addressed the participants after all the awards were given away to the Best Platoon Commanders.
Here is the full text of the Commander’s speech at the occasion :
“Senior officers, officers and other ranks I am proud to be the Chief Guest at the prize awarding ceremony of the Army Inter Regimental Drill Competition in the year 2010.
I would like to extend my praise and respect to all the members of the band and drill display teams of very high standards and also to those who organized the entire event.
Today, you all as members of an excellent Army which successfully defeated the cycle of terrorism that terrified Sri Lanka for over 30 years and showcased your skills in professional warfare to the whole world have today shown your prowess in drills, an integral component that contributes to the making of a disciplined Army.
As guardians of the nation, we should have to maintain high standards in our physical and mental fitness, coupled with high level of discipline. Drill is one major way of inculcating all those qualities in you. If you become a veteran in drills, it will also help groom qualities of a soldier in you.
By conducting these types of competitions, you are awarded opportunities for development of your ability to identify challenges, overcome challenges and promotion of co-existence, friendship, togetherness, unity and mutual understanding among one another. I am happy to note that you during your display today showed all those characteristics.
Responsibilities vested in us on behalf of the motherland do not come to an end there after the great victory achieved in the humanitarian operations. As War Heroes we also are expected to contribute our might to the development of this land while ensuring security of the country in the future too. The qualities you develop through these types of competitions would enormously help you to that end.
I also take this opportunity to thank all Regimental Commanders, Centre Commandants, Commanding Officers, Other Officers, Senior Non-commissioned Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Other Ranks for the exemplary contribution, made by everyone in the Army to make today’s display a big success. I also appreciate the assistance given for its success by all the Directorates at Army Headquarters. Let me also congratulate and add my greetings to all who won in today’s drill and band competitions.
I wish all of you get more and more strength to conduct the next year’s Inter Regimental Drill Competition on a grand scale with very high standards and witnessing keen competitions. I wish all of you a bright future (Suba Anagathayak)”.
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