24th December 2021 14:10:23 Hours
The Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental HQ at Panagoda bade farewell to the retiring 21st Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) Regiment, Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda on Tuesday (21) who has served more than 35 years in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army rendering a dedicated commitment to the service as a gunner Officer. The customary creremony at Artillery Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda was attended by SLA Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks.
The commencement of the ceremony was marked by laying a flower wreath to the Regimental Monument in memory of fallen war heroes. A Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour were then presented to the outgoing Colonel Commandant by SLA Regimental HQ troops as formalities. The day's protagonist was also invited to leave memories by inaugurating the newly-constructed welfare shop in the compound before he shared refreshments with All Ranks at the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess. He also unveiled the new sign board of the SLA cricket ground as scheduled. Afterwards, the outgoing Senior Officer posed for a group photograph with Officers and attended the All Rank lunch, laid at the ORs’ Mess in the 6 SLA.
Attaching further significance to the goodbye ceremony, General C.S Weerasooriya (Rtd) afterwards opened the newly-constructed pavilion in the cricket ground at the invitation of the SLA Centre Commandant.
A formal mess night in the same evening at the Officers’ Mess with a limited number of officers saw the outgoing Colonel Commandant of the Regiment was awarded a memento. The event followed COVID – 19 health guidelines. Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Army HQ.
