Displaying Japan’s continuing goodwill and appreciation towards the Army, a Japanese delegation, headed by Mr Hiroshige Okazawa, President of Okazawa Juuiki on Wednesday (11), donated a fire engine to the Army for use in remote areas.
Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff as the Chief Guest, representing the Commander of the Army, received the symbolic key to the fire engine from Mr Hiroshige Okazawa, Head of the Japanese delegation during a ceremony at the Indoor Stadium, Army Headquarters.
The project, coordinated by Mr Themiya Gunatilake in Japan and Mr W.L.S.N Siriwardena in Sri Lanka, was attended by Major General (Retd) E.P. De Z Abeysekara, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army who took the initiative in this connection when he was holding office.
The simple ceremony got off to a start after the National, Japanese and the Army flags were raised by Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Mr Hiroshige Okazawa and Major General E.M.M Ambanpola, Deputy Chief of Staff respectively.
Major General Nandana Udawatta, Master General Ordnance delivered the welcome speech and spelt out how the Japanese decided to donate this engine to the Army while expressing deep gratitude of the Army. A brief address by the Japanese delegate set the stage for the formal delivery of the gift to the Army.
Around the same time, the Chief Guest presented mementos to the Japanese donors as tokens of appreciation of the Army and thanked them. Several colourful cultural feats, presented by Army artistes entertained the gathering.
Major General Sumedha Perera, Director General General Staff, Major General R. Udawatta, Director General Financial Management and several other senior officers were present at the ceremony.
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