One More New Batch of SF Troopers Passed Out

THE passing out parade of 40th batch of the Special Forces took place on Saturday (13) at Maduruoya Special Forces Training School where Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was the Chief Guest. Army Commander was received on arrival by the Colonel Commandant of Special Forces Major General Kamal Gunaratne and  accorded a guard turnout according to military traditions.

Later, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya received the Guard of Honour accorded to him by officers and soldiers who passed out on the occasion. The Parade Commander for the passing out parade was Major R.P.S. Prasad. The Special Forces badges were brought down from air by a helicopter before they were awarded for the newly passed out officers and soldiers. The Army Commander awarded the badges to officers and soldiers in the first line and award of badges  to soldiers on other three lines was done by Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Major General Shavendra Silva and Major General S. Udumalagala. The award of prizes for the Best Student in Physical Training, the Best Shooter and the Best Student of the Course was done by the Army Commander.

Later on, the Army Commander addressed the newly passed out officers and soldiers.

At the end of the ceremony a special show was conducted showing the strength, military skills and fighting capabilities of the members of Special Forces.

After the parade the Army Commander inspected the Colonel A.F. Laffir Memorial Library and opened the newly built auditorium for the Special Forces Training School. Commander did not forget to share a couple of thoughts with students and their parents also during the occasion.

Here is the full speech made by the Commander on the occasion.

First of all I must thank Colonel of the Regiment of Special Forces for inviting me as the Chief Guest for the passing out parade of the 40th batch of the Army’s Special Forces.
 
Likewise, I salute all of you for display of drills of high quality in the parade ground highlighting your exclusive skills and talents. 

Military knowledge and professional skills you gained during your training period with great efforts, spending so many sleepless nights bore fruits today making you a special breed of soldiers and this date will be etched in gold, I proudly state on this occasion.
 
All of you who passed out as Special Forces soldiers today have a lot of responsibilities. You all must remember that the unitary status and territorial integrity protected by our Heroic soldiers sacrificing their lives and defeating terrorism that affected our motherland for about 30 years, has to be safeguarded and defended by you in the future.
 
We must be grateful to the parents who encouraged their sons to join the Army for a noble service as far as our motherland is concerned. As a country we are indebted to all those parents. Today there are large numbers who join the Army voluntarily in Sri Lanka and I must proudly announce that you all have come forward to protect the motherland and the nation with the blessings of your parents according to your wish without any one forcing you to do so.

Today, you leave this place with self confidence and talents as brave soldiers ready to face any challenge. Further, all officers in our Army are ready to guide and protect you on your way, I must tell you precisely.

As members of professionally and technically advanced Army you definitely receive and deserve the honour from the people and you should ensure that honour is well protected.

 You must consider protection of country’s sovereignty and territorial  integrity as your       prominent duty.
 Continue the training successfully in an organized manner.
 Get the maximum use from available resources.
 Always maintain high standards of discipline.
 Maintain sound mental balance and loyalty to the organization.

You must always be in high mental standards to face any challenges and serve the motherland in any eventuality honestly, loyally and bravely. From this moment your name will go down in the history as a heroic son of the soil who came forward to protect the motherland at the right moment when it was needed.

I would like to wish all success in your military life and thank you all for joining the Special Forces, Colonel of the Regiment, the Commandant Special Forces Training School and the staff for organizing an excellent parade.

Finally, I pay my gratitude to all those who helped for the success of this event and specially to your parents and family members.  I wish you all a brighter future.