Published on - 6/28/2004
Exchange of tokens of goodwill, greetings and warm embraces, consequential to the formal closing sessions of the Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE-3) \"Sama Gamana\" at Kukuleganga on Sunday (27), went down in the annals of the Sri Lanka Army in terms of its significance since it was the first ever UN sponsored mega exercise to take place in Sri Lanka.
The MPE-3 began in Sri Lanka on 12th June 2004 was meant to enhance interoperability among participating troops and was co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Army and US Army Pacific Command after earlier ones were hosted in Nepal and Bangladesh.
The brief but dignified and colourful ceremony, graced by the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. L. P Balagalle as Chief Guest, began immediately after he was conducted to the special saluting dais in the company of Deputy Chief of Staff Major Gen AMCWB Seneviratne, Director General, General Staff Major Gen P. S. B Kulatunge and Director Training Brigadier Srinath Rajapakse to take the salute of the participating troops, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, USA and Sri Lanka.
It was a solemn and a memorable moment of pride and history for 180 strong foreign troops and Sri Lankan soldiers as Platoon commanders, Chief Instructors of participating troops, preceded by the most senior UN Adviser for MPE-3 Lt Colonel John O' Derick, went before the Army Chief gleefully to receive tokens of goodwill to a loud applause from the audience.
Lt. Gen Balagalle in his brief but very assertive talk to the audience reminded that it is the Armed Forces that would continue to play the most vital role in all operational spheres such as de-mining, medical support, civil disturbances, disarmament, infrastructure, etc during the times of peacekeeping operations. \"For those involved in peace-keeping operations, it means difficult and often, dangerous work in very challenging and confronting situations and conditions. Many countries have lost their troops in the cause of peace away from home,\" he added paying a tribute to magnanimous contributions made by all those peace-keepers.
The adventurous spectacle of the day, Parachute jumpers waving national flags of participating nations, performed by Officers and Soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army, drew attention of all spectators including a few hundreds of Kukuleganga villagers, who had toiled all the way to come up there to witness this novel experience. Endorsing and reinforcing the sentiments of the whole objective behind the MPE-3, meant for peace-keeping, all spectators afterwards rose to their feet to collectively sing rhythmic beats of the “Peace Songâ€, composed by Army musicians. The cultural feats, inclusive of Kandyan dancing, despite light showers went ahead as scheduled, depicting their turning somersaults and grandeur before the tri-service band display contributed to the occasion.
In his vote of thanks, Brigadier Srinath Rajapakse, Director Training thanked all those who stood as towers of strength to the Army and him in his efforts to streamline the preparatory stages until the whole MPE-3 became a successful reality within a short span of one and half months after the location for the event was finalized. \"Sir, you as the Commander of the Army inspired us enormously and showed the path in right direction to make this mega event a huge success. The livewire that stood behind me and all of us was none other than Director General, General Staff Major Gen. P. S. B Kulathunga. Yours was the strength that guided and made us stronger with commitment, dedication and sleepless nights,\" Brigadier Rajapakse recalled.
The day\'s closing ceremony ended subsequent to a tea party thrown in appreciation of the presence of all invitees where the outgoing Army Chief shared a word of greetings and pleasantries with foreign and local instructors before he bade adieu.
