Erstwhile Course Officer Pins Insignia on His Former ‘Officer Cadets’, Now Brigadiers

The one-time Course Officer at Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, in a rare gesture that coincides with the 13th War Heroes’ Commemoration Day aka Victory Day pinned new insignia on 7 Senior Colonels who were elevated to the rank of Brigadier at the Commander’s office this morning (19).

Those 7 new Brigadiers of the Intake 37 at the prestigious Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) were promoted to the rank of Brigadier with the approval of HE the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The privilege of receiving their new insignia from none other than their own Course Officer, General Shavendra Silva who groomed them as Officer Cadets in the Intake 37 when they were undergoing training at Diyatalawa, SLMA, came about as a rare record of exclusive nature since the Course Officer himself happened to be still in active service as the new rankers themselves.

The newly-promoted group included Brigadier Jagath Ariyathilaka of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, 213 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Dasantha Munasinghe of Sri Lanka Artillery, 541 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Vindana Kodithuwakku of Gemunu Watch, 144 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Faumi Kichilan of Vijayabhahu Infantry Regiment, 143 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Kamal Dharmawardena of Commando Regiment, Centre Commandant, Commando Regiment HQ, Brigadier Namal Serasingha of Sri Lanka Engineers, 653 Brigade Commander and Brigadier Shirantha Millagala of Gajaba Regiment, Centre Commandant, Gajaba Regiment.

The Army Chief who was their former Course Officer at Diyatalawa after decorating each of them with new insignia congratulated them and extended his best wishes to those new rankers who were his student officers some time ago. The Army Chief during interactions with them outlined the importance of such promotions to deserving career officers while giving a piece of advice to all of them.

“The new rank is a catalyst that would enable you to perform with renewed vigour and enthusiasm considering the degree of responsibilities that correspond to your new duty roles. Remember, your hard-earned promotion means your capacity has been well-recognized and duly considered by your seniors”, so said the Army Chief.

The Army Chief during the interaction recalled instances of interesting episodes at SLMA and explained how training modules were implemented with less resources and facilities at that time. “I am delighted that you all after your successful completion of training have come a long way in your career to be eligible for this well-deserved rank. SLMA training, I am sure, would help you mould your life and character further even after your retirement in future,” General Shavendra Silva commented.