Uva-Kudaoya Commando Training Centre Receives Its First Commander for a POP

THE Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 40th batch of the Commando troops including 20 officers and 655 soldiers took place on Saturday (22) at Uva-Kudaoya Commando Training School with the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya as the Chief Guest. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was the first to take part in the Uva-Kudaoya Commando Training School POP in his capacity as Army Chief, creating history in the Commando Training School. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya on arrival at the venue was received by Major General Shavendra Silva, the Acting Colonel of the Regiment of Commandos and conducted to inspect the Guard Turnout, followed by a Guard of Honour accorded to him.

Later, the Army Commander awarded Maroon Berets to officers who passed out while Major General Shavendra Silva, Major General Chagi Gallage and several senior officers awarded Maroon Berets to soldiers. Parents and next of kin of passed out soldiers afterwards pinned Commando badges on each and every soldier. The Army Commander awarded prizes for the Best Student of the Course 2/Lieutenant T.M.B Tennakoon, the Best Shooter 2/Lieutenant K.V.C Witharanage and the Best Student in Physical Training, 2/Lieutenant K Thiwanka during the award ceremony.

At the end of the ceremony, a special show was conducted displaying the strength, military skills and fighting capabilities of the Commandos. The main events of the show were parachute landing, Tae Kwondo and Raffling show. Officers and soldiers including the Commandant of Commando Training School Lieutenant Colonel Uditha Bandara, the Chief Instructor of the Training School Major P.J.U.S Pilapitiya and about 12,000 relatives and friends of passed out Commandos were present on the occasion.

At the conclusion of the POP the Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was awarded a memento by Major General Shavendra Silva, in memory of this historic visit to Uva-Kudaoya Commando Training School.