One more batch of 113 Cadet Officers, including two Maldivian cadets, affiliated to Intakes 77, 77B, Lady Intake 12/10 C and Volunteer Intake 53 who newly received their commissions at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa, passed out on Saturday (21) during a colourful and elegant Passing out Parade (PoP).
Headed by Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest on the day, the formal military ceremony got to a start after the Commander arrived at the venue, to be greeted and welcomed by the SLMA Commandant, Brigadier I.P Ranasinghe.
After a Guard Turnout, presented by SLMA troops to the visiting Commander, he was ushered to recall the memories of all fallen War Heroes at the SLMA War Memorial. A floral wreath saluted their reminiscences in a solemn moment.
The climax of the day’s event began afterwards with award of commissary swords to the Cadet Officers by the Chief Guest before receipt of the salute from new graduates in the colourful parade. 15 Lady Officers were among those graduates.
The parade that added grandeur robbed everyone’s attention this time as the SLMA’s Adjutant as the Parade Commander on the day, commanded all passing out troops for the first time atop the horse ‘Dhawalaraja’, a gift recently made to the SLMA by Pakistan Army.
Both Battalion Under Officer, B.W.W.D Mendis of the Intake 77 and Company Under Officer P.D. Kodithuwakku of the Intake 77B received the laurels, Swords of Honour from the Chief Guest for the Best Overall Performance by achieving the highest aggregate marks for all academic and practical disciplines during the entire period of training.
Cadet Sergeant L.L.R Perera of the Lady Intake 12/10 C meanwhile secured the 1st place in order of merits and was awarded the Sash of Honour on the same occasion.
Upon completion of the main segment of the ceremony, parents of those newly commissioned officers, adorned the shoulders of their beloved sons and daughters with the insignia of the President’s Commission in the typical pipping ceremony in accordance with military traditions and formalities.
Late in the evening, all newly commissioned officers, together with their Commander of the Army, sat together for a fellowship-dinner before they take leave from one another on service requirements around the country.
A few minutes after the main ceremony, the Commander formally inaugurated the Colour House, the new complex in the SLMA premises where President’s and Academic Colours are to be awarded in the future.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake also planted a tree sapling in the premises and added symbolic remembrance to the day’s event before his exit for the day.
Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch, Chief of Staff, Major General Crishantha De Silva, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General E.P de Z. Abeysekara, Colonels of different Regiments and a large gathering of invitees, parents, well-wishes and other ranks witnessed the PoP ceremony.
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