General Daya Ratnayake, the outgoing Commander of the Army minutes after his ceremonial handover of the office to his successor, Major General A.W.J.C De Silva used the occasion to talk to media personnel who had come there to cover the day’s proceedings in connection with his farewell ceremony at the Army Headquarters.
‘I thank everyone for the support I received during my tenure of office as the Commander of the Army. It is needless to say that the Media also assisted the smooth conduct of affairs in the Army during my office. I expect everyone in the Army to give the same support or more to my successor to further elevate and improve the standards of the Army’, the outgoing Commander said.
‘Most people generally fear to be associated with the number 13 but our Intake also had the same number which was considered to be a bad omen. I am happy to note that Intake 13 succeeded in producing Commanders including myself. Even the incoming Commander belongs to the same Intake 13 as mine. Therefore I feel there is nothing wrong with that number,’ the Commander quipped smilingly.
General Ratnayake further added that the Army as the major defender of the nation has now reached international standards by successfully transformed itself from warfare to peace time Army and it was his wish to see that the Army maintains its status quo and march forward.
I call upon Media also to give all possible strength to the new Commander and help pursue his legitimate duties for the betterment of the Nation, the Commander told the journalists.
Soon after the Media meet, the Commander at the entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat did not forget to feed his Regiment’s Mascot, ‘Kandula’ baby elephant seconds before he left the premises after attending to all formalities with the new Commander designate Major General A.W.J.C. De Silva.
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