18th June 2022 19:01:12 Hours
Amid military ceremonials, greetings and best wishes of all, including veterans in the Intake-26 at ‘Home of Keterians’ in Saliyapura, the recently-appointed Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage this morning (18) accepted the office of the Colonel of the Regiment, Gajaba Regiment (GR) in a formal felicitation ceremony.
The occasion that coupled with his visit to the GR Regimental HQ upon his assumption of duties as 24th Commander of the Army a few days ago was marked to felicitate him in accordance with military traditions upon his first arrival there as the Army Chief.
At the magnificent gateway entrance, Colonel Rajendra Wijerathna, Deputy Center Commandant extended a welcome to the day’s Chief Guest and invited him to review the Guard Turnout salute, presented by GR troops in honour of the day’s Chief Guest to the location.
The next moment added greater significance as Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage slowly and steadily moved to recall treasured memories of the GR’s mentor and Founding Father, late Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne. Placing a floral wreath, he saluted the statue of the architect of the GR and paid tribute to his memory in a solemn moment.
The day’s highlights reached its apex as the parade ground remained geared to presenting arms in the Guard of Honour. Brigadier Wishwajith Vidyananda, GR Center Commandant after extending a warm welcome to the day’s Chief Guest invited him to take the salute of the colourful and mammoth parade, composed of 560 GR troops of 20 battalions.
The Guard of Honour, considered as the highest military salute in the Army, then presented to the day’s Chief Guest after his review of the parade was cynosure of all eyes, present there as invitees. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage from the special dais afterwards took the salute in conformity with military traditions.
His visit to the GR Headquarters as the 24th Army Chief was made more memorable when the GR Centre Commandant invited him to leave a symbol of eternal memory in the complex by planting an ironwood sapling.
Next, followed the opportunity for group photographs for Officers, present at the occasion. Refreshing erstwhile heyday times during training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) a few decades ago and subsequent career memories, a group of retired Senior Officers of the Army Commander’s Intake-26 who were present at the occasion further glorified the occasion, the Intake -26 and the Gajaba Regiment by posing for group photographs at first. After a while, Senior Officers of the Army Chief’s own unit, 4 GR and Officers at Regimental HQ joined in.
The day’s significance assumed more significance as all Senior Officers afterwards assembled to witness one more highlight of the day’s programme. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage was then invited to take reins as new Colonel of the Regiment, GR after this office fell vacant a fortnight ago with the exit of General Shavendra Silva who rendered an unparalleled service to the GR as Colonel of the Regiment, GR.
As members of the Maha Sangha went on chanting ‘Seth Pirith’, the new Colonel of the Regiment, GR Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage at the auspicious minute placed his signature for an official document and signified the acceptance of the new office at the GR Regimental HQ as 12th Colonel of the Regiment. The inaugural ceremony was simple and dignified.
An All Rank tea table, followed by a formal lunch with All Ranks afterwards brought the day’s due ceremonials to culmination.
Mrs Janaki Liyanage, President Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU), Family Members, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff, Major General Channa Weerasooriya, Deputy Chief of Staff, both of who also belonged to the same Intake-26 at the SLMA, along with retired batch mates, Major General Sujeewa Senerath Yapa, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Senior military Officers, Officers, spouses and other ranks attended the day’s ceremonials.
