16th December 2020 21:26:46 Hours
The Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) of the Army in Kukuleganga, geared up to produce fully-fledged potential peacekeepers for multidimensional UN assignments heralded the inauguration of several new projects that matches up with UN standards inside the complex on Wednesday (16) and gave a facelift to its infrastructure facilities with the participation of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) as the Chief Guest.
After a warm welcome to the day’s Chief Guest, he was invited to mark the inauguration of the newly renovated mainroad to the IPSOTSL complex and named it as the ‘Peace Drive’. Next, was the unveiling of the new name board and a replica of an armour tank beside the main entrance to the IPSOTSL complex which adds colour and symbolic grandeur to its role.
A colourful and customary drive-past salute was extended to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as he proceeded. Afterwards the Chief Guest reached the administrative complex of the IPSOTSL in his motorcade, to be welcomed by Brigadier Shantha Ranaweera, Commandant, IPSOTSL and Director Operations - AHQ, flanked by a few Senior Officers and IPSOTSL Instructors.
He was at first invited to inaugurate several infrastructure constructions, inclusive of the Buddhist temple of worship, its shrine and unveiling of the new Buddha statue, amidst chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ by members of the Maha Sangha. Adding one more essential component to the IPSOTSL, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva then opened the newly-erected Sports Complex in the institute, a long-felt need of the IPSOTSL, monumental Peace Tower that signifies the symbolic existence of this hallowed Institute, Indoor Badminton Court and the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess at the IPSOTSL before he left memories by planting a ‘Mee’ sapling in the compound.
In his formal address to IPSOTSL administrators and trainees, the day’s Chief Guest took time off to recall a few memories about his days as UN ambassador in New York and how he worked closely to multiply the Sri Lankan peacekeeping quota for UN peacekeeping deployments and committed to raise their salaries, perks and other facilities.
“We were able to increase the numbers in contingents, not only among members of the tri services, but also the quota of potential Policemen. Peacekeeping is a noble mission and its value is enormous. We are now able to earn much-needed foreign exchange by producing standard own vehicles for UN missions after our SLEME workshops have begun production of such vehicles of UN standards. These missions would further boost our national economy as they would also bring in foreign exchange,” he remarked.
At the end of the troop address, the Army Chief gave away prizes and certificates to the first best five students who followed the UN Logistic Officers’ Course at the IPSOTSL and extended his best wishes on their achievements. Symbolic of the meaning of peace, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva before the culmination of the proceedings was invited to set a pigeon free into the air on the same occasion.
Afterwards, Brigadier Shantha Ranaweera, Commandant, IPSOTSL and Director Operations - AHQ awarded a memento to the visiting Army Chief as a token of appreciation. Compliments were also left in the IPSOTSL visitors’ book by the day’s Chief Guest signalling the culmination of the day’s sequence of inaugurations.
Senior Officers including, Major General Jayashantha Gamage, Military Secretary, Major General Pradeep De Silva, Director General General Staff, Major General Sanjaya Wanasingha, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division, Major General Rathnasiri Ganegoda, Director General Engineer Service, Brigadier Lasantha Rodrigo, Director Overseas Operations and Brigadier Chandana Wickremasinghe, Director Media and Military Spokesman attended the day’s proceedings.Running sports | Nike Air Force 1 Shadow White/Atomic Pink-Sail For Sale – Fitforhealth
