Army Chief Graces National Cadet Corps Pass Out Ceremony as the Chief Guest

The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the country’s school level Cadet training entity which operates under the Ministry of Defence together with the Ministry of Education, staged the Passing out Parade (PoP) of Hermann Loos & De Soysa Challenge Trophies - 2024 at the NCC Training Centre, Rantembe on 10 November 2024. The event was graced by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.

Brigadier G.S Fonseka USP psc, Director of NCC welcomed the day’s Chief Guest at the entrance, according him with a Guard Turnout and then, the Army Chief inspected the Passing out Parade. Later on, the Commander of the Army was invited to award medals and certificates to the achievers. Out of 4485 island-wide school Cadet platoons, 60 Cadet platoons participated in the final event.

During the awarding ceremony, Cadets of Ananda College, Colombo won the first place in the boy's category and received the Hermann Loos Trophy for the Best Platoon in the island for the year 2024.

Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda and Bandaranayake College, Gampaha carried away the trophies for the second and third places respectively.

Meanwhile, Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala won the De Soyza trophy for the Best Platoon in the female category while Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo secured the second and third places respectively.

Hermann Loos Championship Trophy is awarded annually to the best performing Cadet platoon from a boys’ school while De Soyza championship is awarded to the best performing Cadet platoon from a girls’ school.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Guest praised the NCC for building a younger society, that is trained to face challenges with discipline. Further, recalling his memories he stated that he also trained at NCC as a school Cadet 40 years ago and thanked NCC for inviting him to be the day’s Chief Guest.

Afterwards, a special Army Tattoo that showcases an assortment of exceptionally attractive skills of the Army personnel to the public was staged.

Subsequently, the Director of NCC presented a memento to the Army Chief followed by a tea party and group photographs.

At the culmination of the event the Army Chief penned a complimentary note in the Visitors’ Book.

Clergy, Chiefs of Staff Army and Air Force, Commandant Army Volunteer Force, Defence Attaché of the Bangladesh High Commission, Senior Tri-Service Officers, Retired Army Senior Officers, Officers, Officials from Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education and the Police, Principals, teachers, parents, Cadets, well-wishers and a large group of civilians were also present at this ceremony.