13th March 2021 16:13:43 Hours
With mounting excitement, surprise and glee, a group of some 25 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) of the 23 Division HQ in Punani serving under the Security Force HQ-East on Saturday (13) early morning woke up to undergo an unannounced and unexpected experience as they were commanded to board a 26-seater bus, parked near their camps.
In less than 45 minutes, all of them with burning curiosity alighted the bus to enter the Army-managed popular tourist heaven, ‘Laya Waves’ at Pasikudah. They all began to flare in their tanzanite eyes as they suddenly saw none other than their Chief, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army awaiting them at the reception to welcome them, together with the Commander, SF-East, Major General Channa Weerasuriya.
Incredibly moved, General Shavendra Silva, showing sentiments of intimacy and fellowship then shook hands with each of them and sat together on the hotel lawn to enjoy the day’s breakfast while sharing a few thoughts with them and inquiring into their concerns in respective areas of service. After a while, he openly commended their challenging roles and tasks and highlighted the importance of their commitment and dedication for smooth conduct of affairs for the greater benefit of all Sri Lankans.
Before the arrangement ended, the visiting Commander of the Army posed for a group photo with those 25 SNCOs at their request leaving memories of his interaction with those SNCOs, perhaps for the first time in their life-time while on service. The hotel management, amply supported by civil staffers also invited General Shavendra Silva to leave a few compliments in their Visitors’ Book.
General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army arrived at Welikanda SFHQ-East on Friday (12) and spoke to all Senior Officers serving the region. (see story elsewhere)bridgemedia | nike air max 95 obsidian university blue book list
