Header

Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

15th January 2018 16:36:53 Hours

Vibrant 'Colours Night' Recognizes VIR Sportsmen at Boyagane

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), having produced a fine assortment of sports personalities to the Army, took pride in appreciating the services of serving sportsmen and differently-able Para-sportsmen during this evening’s (13) ‘Colours Night’ that recognizes and hails VIR sportsmen.

The VIR’s glittering ‘Colours Night’ got underway at ‘The Salute’ reception hall in the VIR Regimental Headquarters, Boyagane, Kurunegala.

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake as the Chief Guest for the occasion accompanied by the Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) graced the memorable event, replete with military traditions and entertainment.

The Chief Guest on arrival at the auditorium premises was welcomed by Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR and was conducted in a procession, preceded by Ves dancers. The day’s event commenced by lighting the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest and a few other Senior Officers.

The two-minute silence, as is the practice in all Army ceremonies, revered the memories of fallen War Heroes while fighting for defence of the country. The silence signalled the onset of the day’s proceedings. Paying due respect to the Regiment, the VIR regimental song reverberated leaving the floor, next for Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana to deliver his welcome speech.

Several scintillating and eye-catching spectacles of cultural, musical and historic themes, meticulously choreographed by famed artists held the audiences spellbound as the day’s agenda unfolded one by one while awarding Regimental and Army Colours to 246 VIR Officers and Other Ranks (both serving and differently-able) for their excellence in various sports at different levels, i.e. Army, Defence Services, National and International, representing the country.

The gala annual ceremony recognized VIR sports stars and their national and international achievements of exceptional nature in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, in which those achievers were felicitated at regimental level, Army level, defence services level, national and international levels.

As the stage was set for the honours, Brigadier Chandana Gunawardane, Commandant, Officer Career Development Centre (OCDC), Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Colonel of the Regiment,VIR and Major General Piyal Wickramaratne, Commandant, SLAVF were respectively invited to the stage for presentation of Colours to the recipients who excelled at Army, Defence Services and national levels.

The grand presentation of Colours reached its apex as the Chief Guest stepped on to the stage after he was invited to make the final presentation of Colours to those VIR personnel who have excelled exceptionally well.

Afterwards, amidst patriotic melodies, Corporal M.A Amaraweera and Corporal H.T Tennakoon received colours from the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake as the audience burst into a round of applause.

Out of 246 VIR recipients of Colours for their achievements in sports, 107 VIR sportsmen became eligible to receive prestigious Army Colours during the ceremony.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake in his brief speech to the occasion congratulated all 107 who received Army Colours before the special trophy to the Best Sportsman, Sergeant H.K.C.S Hettiarachi of the Headquarter Battalion of the VIR was awarded.

Brigadier Srinath Ariyasinghe, Regimental Centre Commandant raised the vote of thanks before the Brass Band showed their skills renting the air with patriotic melodies and finally the national anthem.

Staff Officers, Commanding Officers, and a host of Senior VIR Officers, Officers and Other Rankers attended the occasion.

Sportswear free shipping | NIKE Chaussures, Sacs, Vetements, Montres, Accessoires, Accessoires-textile, Beaute, Sous-vetements - Livraison Gratuite