Published on - 11/5/2004
The final display of the Inter-Regiment Drill Competition 2004 got under way today (05) at the Army Headquarters Ground after best regiments were adjudged for finale during their displays that took place at the Panagoda Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Centre during 15-27 September 2004. Today\'s ceremony comprising the grand band display was headed by Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri. The Army Commander, Lt Gen S. H. S Kottegoda and Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera took part in the ceremony.
Teams from Regiments of the Sri Lanka Artillery, Sri Lanka Engineers, Sri Lanka Signal Corps and Sri Lanka National Guard, who won first four places in the finals, presented their colours at today's display supported by a team of Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps, winners of the female event, and Drill Instructors during the event.
Inter Regiment Drill competition was initiated in year 2002 and this was the third one of its kind. In 2002, teams from 16 Regiments and 2 teams from Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps took part in the Drill competition but in 2003 the numbers rose to 19 with two female teams. This year, twenty regiments and one team from the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps, in addition to the two teams from Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps participated in the competitions that qualified them for the final round.
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Army Commander and Air Force Commander, gave away trophies and certificates to the winning teams. The drill instructors display on the occasion appeared the most attractive spectacle since it was a new addition to 2004 event. DRILL DISPLAYIn 2002, Sri Lanka Engineers, Sri Lanka National Guard and Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment respectively won the first three places while the Women\'s Corps team one from 1st ,2nd and 3rd Battalions won the first place in Drill competitions.
Sri Lanka Engineers secured the first place in 2003 for the second consecutive year pushing Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and Sri Lanka Armoured Corps to the second and third places respectively. The team two from Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps of the 2nd and 4th Battalions were the winners in the female division in 2003. BAND COMPETITIONSri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and Sri Lanka Engineers became the first, second and third in order out of twelve bands that competed in the Inter Regiment Band Competition in the year 2003. Commando Regiment and Sri Lanka National Guard competed for the first time in the year 2004 Inter Regiment Band Competition. Fifteen bands of the Army took part in the competitions that were held from 23 to 27 October 2004 at the Panagoda SLLI grounds before they were selected for the final round.
TEST BOARDS FOR SELECTIONThe year 2004 test board for Drill, headed by Brigadier A.M.A. Chandrasiri consisted of four Colonels, one Major, three UK qualified Drill Instructors and one from the Sri Lanka Military Academy,
The test board for Band was sat by two officers from the Army and Navy, chaired by the Army officer.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES IN ORGANIZING THE DRILL COMPETITION & BAND DISPLAY a. To make Officers and Other Ranks to wear their uniforms mindfully in proper order. b. To improve Officers' and Other Ranks' proficiency in Drill c. To produce disciplined Officers and Other Ranks and to inculcate patience in them. d. To train them to gain victory through espirit de corps. e. To improve professional standards of soldiers in Bands and Drills
