24th June 2023 17:16:04 Hours
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), one of the most admired Infantry Regiments of the Army with a proven record of its unfailing gallantry had its much-anticipated and glamorous 'Colours' awarding ceremony-2023 for the fourth time on Friday (23) at the VIR Regimental HQ in Boyagane, Kurunegala, amid a gathering of invitees, headed by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel of the Regiment, VIR.
Upon his arrival, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army, accompanied by Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, together with Major General D.M.K.D.B Pussella RWP RSP, Commander, Security Forces - West, Major General G.R.R.P Jayawardana RWP RSP ndu, Quarter Master General of the Army, Principal Staff Officers and several other senior Officers was ushered to the VIR Multifunctional Hall in a simple procession.
The lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest and a few other Senior Officers and the recital of the regimental song, followed by eye-catching entertaining cultural and dancing feats, coloured the evening in a vibrant manner. Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, at first, made the welcome remarks and explained the objective of the day's event.
The colour-rich spectacle, appreciative of sports talents and skills of VIR sportsmen during the years from 2018 to 2022 at inter-regiment, defence services, national and international levels made a comeback after a few years, aimed at encouraging All Ranks to improve their sporting talents further in order to reach greater heights for both national and international gains.
During the glittering ceremony, 260 sportsmen, including Officers and Other Ranks in total were awarded 'Colours' for 44 sports events. The glamorous evening reached its apex as VIR personnel who have excelled exceptionally well in sports crowning the motherland in glory at national and international levels were called out to the stage to receive their accolades from the day's Chief Guest.
The Commander's symbolic presentation of trophies to the six most outstanding performers and achievers of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment whose records were the most admired during 2018-2022 followed his address to the occasion, in which he congratulated them for their resounding gains, appreciated them and wanted them to perform better in time to come, too.
The Army Chief further highlighted “ Sri Lanka Army while performing its services as the ‘Protectors of the Nation’, has produced internationally and locally acclaimed sportsmen. It is evident that VIR has also been a proud contributor to that great legacy of the Army. You have brought honour and fame to your Regiment, the Army and our motherland as a whole representing at various sports competitions. I congratulate all the Colour recipients and encourage you all to perform better in the future.”
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage was meanwhile awarded a special memento in appreciation of his presence as the Chief Guest for the Vijayabahu 'Colours' Night 2023 by the VIR Colonel of the Regiment. Towards the end, the Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel of the Regiment, VIR, Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc was awarded a memento by the Army Chief.
Simultaneously, as an incentive for promotion of regimental sports prowess, the Commander of the Army presented a cash gift of Rs.1 million towards the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment sports fund for its further promotion of sporting skills of VIR Sportsmen in the future.
Major General S.R.B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, the Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the event and marked the culmination of the Vijayabahu Colours Awarding Ceremony 2023. Senior Officers, Regimental Council Members, Staff Officers, Commanding Officers, and a host of Senior VIR Officers, Officers and Other Ranks witnessed the thrilling and glamorous evening.
