30th November 2021 13:23:17 Hours
The new one-storied ‘Etipola Holiday Bunglow’ with four comfortable rooms, erected inside the 2 (volunteer) Gajaba Regiment (GR) camp premises at Trincomalee Fort Fredrick in an eye-catching setting was vested in the troops on Saturday (27) by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army who was in Trincomalee attending several military events.
The construction of the facility, completed by GR troops themselves was provided technical and engineering expertise by troops of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES) inside this historic Fort where remnants of the ancestral bungalow of the aristrocratic “Etipola” family remain to-date as archaeological ruins. Troops giving due recognition and eternal life to the adjoining location decided to name the new holiday facility as ‘Etipola Holiday Bungalow’.
The Army Chief on arrival at the premises was welcomed by Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Commander, Security Forces - East together with the Major General Sanath Aluwihare, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division, Brigadier Dinesh Udugama, Centre Commandant Gajaba Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel A.K.M.U.K Navaratne, Commanding Officer of 2 (V) Gajaba Regiment, before the day’s Chief Guest was invited to unveil the plaque and cut the ribbon, amidst ‘Seth Pirith’, to declare the premises, now opened for both Officers and Other Ranks. General Shavendra Silva afterwards shared few thoughts with Army constructors present there and closely watched its interior facilities in the company of Commander Security Forces - East, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division, Centre Commandant, RHQ GR and Officers.
Fort Fredrick, also known as Fort of Trincomalee, built by the Portuguese was completed in 1624 CE, and believed to have been erected on the debris of the world-famous ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple (Temple of a Thousand Pillars) in the same location. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese under Phillip III, the occupier of the Jaffna peninsula on the island. The Fort of Trincomalee was dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665 and renamed Fort Fredrick.
Senior Officers, Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Commander, Security Forces - East, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division, Centre Commandant, RHQ GR, and several Senior Officers were associated with the simple opening ceremony.
