Six horses gifted to the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa by the Pakistan Army, in response to a request, made by the Commander of the Army to his Pakistan’s counterpart, were formally received on Monday (13) at Lake View Equestrian Centre, Averihena, Hokandara where they undergo quarantine procedures.
Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe, Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), on behalf of the Commander of the Army, acknowledged the gift from representative Colonel Sheharyar Pervez Butt, Defence Attaché of High Commission for Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Brigadier N.D Wanniarachchi, Director Plans, Major Tabassam Zia, Veterinary Surgeon from Pakistan and several other SLMA officers graced the occasion.
Dr Sinharaja Thammita Delgoda, on the occasion presented a historical account regarding the significance and relevance of horses to the country, giving a comparative picture of the connections that existed between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. All those horses after giving meticulous attention to their physical characteristics were named as ‘Dhawalaraja’, ‘Bharana’, ‘Abhaya’, ‘Kalawela’ ‘Chetiya’ and ‘Nandi’.
Donation coordinated by Colonel Sheharyar Pervez Butt, Defence Attaché thus enables the SLMA to raise the Equestrian Club of the SLMA.
These horses of high breed that could be used to enhance knowledge on equestrian training skills for student officers at SLMA make a milestone in the annals of SLMA history since this was the first time a gift of such nature was made to this historic place of academia.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army when he had his counterpart from Pakistan as the Chief Guest last year for a passing out parade at Diyatalawa SLMA referred the need to his attention since absence of equestrian training in the curricula at SLMA remains a lacuna, due to non-availability of horses.
Return of cavalry mounted division to the SLMA is also symbolic of a revival of a historic tradition, for which Sri Lanka has contributed since pre-historic times.
Monday’s brief formal handover ceremony was coloured with melodies rent by bagpipers and the Army brass band. Exchange of plaques and delivery of saddlery equipment took place on the same occasion.
Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe, Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), on behalf of the Commander of the Army, acknowledged the gift from representative Colonel Sheharyar Pervez Butt, Defence Attaché of High Commission for Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Brigadier N.D Wanniarachchi, Director Plans, Major Tabassam Zia, Veterinary Surgeon from Pakistan and several other SLMA officers graced the occasion.
Dr Sinharaja Thammita Delgoda, on the occasion presented a historical account regarding the significance and relevance of horses to the country, giving a comparative picture of the connections that existed between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. All those horses after giving meticulous attention to their physical characteristics were named as ‘Dhawalaraja’, ‘Bharana’, ‘Abhaya’, ‘Kalawela’ ‘Chetiya’ and ‘Nandi’.
Donation coordinated by Colonel Sheharyar Pervez Butt, Defence Attaché thus enables the SLMA to raise the Equestrian Club of the SLMA.
These horses of high breed that could be used to enhance knowledge on equestrian training skills for student officers at SLMA make a milestone in the annals of SLMA history since this was the first time a gift of such nature was made to this historic place of academia.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army when he had his counterpart from Pakistan as the Chief Guest last year for a passing out parade at Diyatalawa SLMA referred the need to his attention since absence of equestrian training in the curricula at SLMA remains a lacuna, due to non-availability of horses.
Return of cavalry mounted division to the SLMA is also symbolic of a revival of a historic tradition, for which Sri Lanka has contributed since pre-historic times.
Monday’s brief formal handover ceremony was coloured with melodies rent by bagpipers and the Army brass band. Exchange of plaques and delivery of saddlery equipment took place on the same occasion.
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