The forerunner to the forthcoming 56th Anniversary and the Regimental Day (December 15) ceremonies of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC), one of the pioneering and reputed Regiments in the Army, began on Friday (02) evening with offer of floral tributes and a religious ceremony at the SLAC Regimental Headquarters, Rock House, Muttwal.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, himself a notable figure to be reckoned with in the SLAC, together with Mrs Laly Kobbekaduwa, the widow of Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, one of the most respected and much-loved generals in modern Sri Lanka and next of kin of other fallen SLAC War Heroes, placed floral tributes as the Chief Guest at the foot of the SLAC War Hero monument and revered memories of fallen War Heroes as the first item on the day’s agenda.
A large gathering of spouses and children of fallen SLAC War Heroes with tears in their eyes lined up in succession and paid their respect in flowers to the memory of their beloved ones.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, being a veteran in the SLAC did not afterwards forget to share a word or two with bereaved families, most of whose late breadwinner was either known to him or in some instances, has worked with him when the Commander was serving as a ground Commander in the battlefields in the past.
Later in the day, a Pirith chanting ceremony, organized inside the newly opened four-storeyed SLAC utility building commenced with the offer of the traditional tray of betel, Dehethwattiya to the Maha Sangha by the Commander of the Army, formally inviting them to bestow merits and invoke blessings.
As the final leg of the Buddhist ceremony, members of the Maha Sangha were to be offered Heeldana (breakfast), the following day. A special Anushasana (oration) once again was expected to bless the Army’s forward march, SLAC’s success in the future and the families of SLAC War Heroes.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, who is also the Colonel of the SLAC Regiment on arrival at the Headquarters premises, was welcomed by Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe, SLAC Centre Commandant and other senior officers.
SLAC with its cherished motto, ‘Whither the fates call’ saw its birth as the First Cavalry Regiment of the Army, 1st Reconnaissance Regiment. On 10th October 1955, Armour commenced its journey after Ceylon Armoured Corps was raised under the able leadership of General D.S. Attygalle, ever remembered as father of the SLAC. The Regimental Headquarters was moved from Echelon Barracks to the present location at Muttwal. To its credit, the SLAC has produced a fine assortment of prestigious military leaders to the country including several Commanders of the Army, Secretaries to Ministry of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Commandants of Army Volunteer Forces, Northern and Eastern Commanders, Directors, Military Attaches, et al.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, himself a notable figure to be reckoned with in the SLAC, together with Mrs Laly Kobbekaduwa, the widow of Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, one of the most respected and much-loved generals in modern Sri Lanka and next of kin of other fallen SLAC War Heroes, placed floral tributes as the Chief Guest at the foot of the SLAC War Hero monument and revered memories of fallen War Heroes as the first item on the day’s agenda.
A large gathering of spouses and children of fallen SLAC War Heroes with tears in their eyes lined up in succession and paid their respect in flowers to the memory of their beloved ones.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, being a veteran in the SLAC did not afterwards forget to share a word or two with bereaved families, most of whose late breadwinner was either known to him or in some instances, has worked with him when the Commander was serving as a ground Commander in the battlefields in the past.
Later in the day, a Pirith chanting ceremony, organized inside the newly opened four-storeyed SLAC utility building commenced with the offer of the traditional tray of betel, Dehethwattiya to the Maha Sangha by the Commander of the Army, formally inviting them to bestow merits and invoke blessings.
As the final leg of the Buddhist ceremony, members of the Maha Sangha were to be offered Heeldana (breakfast), the following day. A special Anushasana (oration) once again was expected to bless the Army’s forward march, SLAC’s success in the future and the families of SLAC War Heroes.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, who is also the Colonel of the SLAC Regiment on arrival at the Headquarters premises, was welcomed by Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe, SLAC Centre Commandant and other senior officers.
SLAC with its cherished motto, ‘Whither the fates call’ saw its birth as the First Cavalry Regiment of the Army, 1st Reconnaissance Regiment. On 10th October 1955, Armour commenced its journey after Ceylon Armoured Corps was raised under the able leadership of General D.S. Attygalle, ever remembered as father of the SLAC. The Regimental Headquarters was moved from Echelon Barracks to the present location at Muttwal. To its credit, the SLAC has produced a fine assortment of prestigious military leaders to the country including several Commanders of the Army, Secretaries to Ministry of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Commandants of Army Volunteer Forces, Northern and Eastern Commanders, Directors, Military Attaches, et al.
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