21st June 2019 08:03:59 Hours
Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC) on Friday (14) bade farewell to Major General Wajira Palihakkara, Colonel Commandant, SLAGSC upon his retirement after rendering a 35 year long distinguished service in the regular force of the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Wajira Palihakkara was enlisted to the regular force in the Sri Lanka Army on 05 March 1984 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major General on 30 March 2017. During his 35 years of military service, his dedication was recognized awarding Vishishta Seva Vibushana (VSV) and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for his exceptional and untiring loyal service bringing honour to the regiment, having been appointed as the overlooking Deputy Chief Of Staff at the AHQ for the first time in the SLAGSC calendar of memorable events.
During his tenure as Colonel Commandant, SLAGSC, he made impressive improvements in respect of the SLAGSC infrastructure facilities at battalion, trade school and regimental center levels enabling them to reach new heights, largely because of his close guidance and supervision.
The commencement of the farewell ceremony, held at the Regimental Center began with a Guard Turnout and floral tributes to the regimental War Heroes’ Monument after the outgoing Colonel Commandant arrived at the location. Afterwards, a colourful military parade presented honours to him.
The newly-constructed Warrant Officers'/Sergeants' mess was also warmed by the day's Chief Guest adding one more milestone to the Regimental HQ on the same occasion, flanked by several senior officers.
The morning session of the day's proceedings concluded after posing for a group photograph with all council members and senior Officers, All Officers and Other Ranks present at the occasion. After a while, all ranks lined up in front of the RHQ SLAGSC building to pay their gratitude to outgoing Colonel Commandant, Major General Wajira Palihakkara in a street-line goodbye. His successor, Brigadier C.K Handunmulla, All council members, Centre Commandant, COs of Regimental Volunteer SLAGSC battalions, Senior Officers and Other Ranks including Regimental Sergeant Majors of SLAGSC battalions were present during the ceremony.
The day's event also followed the typical mess night hosted in the honor of the outgoing Colonel Commandant by council members and senior Officers along with their spouses at the Officers mess RHQ SLLI. The farewell speech was delivered by Brigadier Handunmulla extending best wishes to him on behalf of all Officers and other ranks.
The first copy of the 'Ranaviru Buhuman - 2019', the magazine published to highlight the proud history of the regiment from 1951 to 2019 was also presented to the outgoing Colonel Commandant by the Chief Editor Brigadier Buwaneka Gunarathna during All ranks tea at the RHQ SLAGSC.bridge media | Nike Air Max 270
