A representative gathering of officers and soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army Tuesday (30) morning accorded a salute to the outgoing Commander of the Army General Jagath Jayasuriya during a formal military ceremony at CH & FC ground at Maitland Crescent.
In accordance with military traditions, the outgoing Commander on arrival at the venue reviewed the Guard Turn Out, presented by the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) after he was received by SLAC Centre Commandant at the entrance.
The parade in his honour was on form-up position on the parade square when the new Commander of the Army-designate Major General R.M.D Ratnayaka received the outgoing Commander and ushered him to the saluting dais. Seconds after, Brigadier A.L.P.S Thilakarathna, parade commander requested the Chief Guest on the day to inspect the Guard of Honour, accorded in his honour.
The day’s significance reached its peak as the Commander rose to address the troops. General Jagath Jayasuriya during his speech summed up the series of measures he undertook for the best interest of the Army and its troops.
During his speech, the Commander pointed out that as per his inaugural speech when he assumed office some four years ago, he was able to fulfill those pledges and make almost all the projects successful.
General Jayasuriya did not mince words to remind the gathering of the series of welfare projects that had been effected during his tenure of office after introducing new Directorates and projects that would go hand in hand with the government’s national development projects.
General Jayasuriya thanked the Secretary Defence for recommending him for the next promotion and also HE the President for promoting him to the rank of General as an appreciation of his services.
General Jayasuriya used the occasion to thank everyone for the support he received during his tenure of office. ‘I expect everyone in the Army to give the same support or more to my successor to further elevate the standards of the Army. Discipline need to be maintained at all levels and our loyalty to the government has to be in place. Except for a few isolated incidents, no major breach of discipline has taken place in the past few years’, the Commander said.
Commander said that he is proud to state that the Army setting an example to the world has successfully transformed itself from warfare to peace time Army to engage in nation building projects.
Training opportunities in foreign countries as well as in other training centres were increased enabling us to send a notable number of senior non- commissioned officers for drill instructor courses in India and UK. Presently officers from other countries are coming to follow Military courses in our country and that itself indicates the recognition we have achieved as an organization in other countries. In addition to Haiti UN missions, we have got the opportunity to send troops to Lebanon as well’, the Commander said.
From 2011 on, we have been holding defence seminars annually. Officers were able to direct for more professional higher studies courses by opening officer study centers at Buththala and in Trincamalee. He also mentioned that an Education Corps will be raised in the near future enabling training instructors for Army training programs. We were able to uplift the conditions of the camps by putting prefabricated buildings, he said.
Laya hotel chain is another welfare facility given to soldiers. New hospital complex with 1045 beds with latest facilities for the use of soldiers and their family members is to be opened shortly, he said.
In conclusion, the Commander informed everyone to support the government’s nation-building effort and thanked all previous course officers for making him to be what he is today. He expects that everyone to support the new Army commander Major General R.M.D Rathnayaka as well.
In accordance with military traditions, the outgoing Commander on arrival at the venue reviewed the Guard Turn Out, presented by the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) after he was received by SLAC Centre Commandant at the entrance.
The parade in his honour was on form-up position on the parade square when the new Commander of the Army-designate Major General R.M.D Ratnayaka received the outgoing Commander and ushered him to the saluting dais. Seconds after, Brigadier A.L.P.S Thilakarathna, parade commander requested the Chief Guest on the day to inspect the Guard of Honour, accorded in his honour.
The day’s significance reached its peak as the Commander rose to address the troops. General Jagath Jayasuriya during his speech summed up the series of measures he undertook for the best interest of the Army and its troops.
During his speech, the Commander pointed out that as per his inaugural speech when he assumed office some four years ago, he was able to fulfill those pledges and make almost all the projects successful.
General Jayasuriya did not mince words to remind the gathering of the series of welfare projects that had been effected during his tenure of office after introducing new Directorates and projects that would go hand in hand with the government’s national development projects.
General Jayasuriya thanked the Secretary Defence for recommending him for the next promotion and also HE the President for promoting him to the rank of General as an appreciation of his services.
General Jayasuriya used the occasion to thank everyone for the support he received during his tenure of office. ‘I expect everyone in the Army to give the same support or more to my successor to further elevate the standards of the Army. Discipline need to be maintained at all levels and our loyalty to the government has to be in place. Except for a few isolated incidents, no major breach of discipline has taken place in the past few years’, the Commander said.
Commander said that he is proud to state that the Army setting an example to the world has successfully transformed itself from warfare to peace time Army to engage in nation building projects.
Training opportunities in foreign countries as well as in other training centres were increased enabling us to send a notable number of senior non- commissioned officers for drill instructor courses in India and UK. Presently officers from other countries are coming to follow Military courses in our country and that itself indicates the recognition we have achieved as an organization in other countries. In addition to Haiti UN missions, we have got the opportunity to send troops to Lebanon as well’, the Commander said.
From 2011 on, we have been holding defence seminars annually. Officers were able to direct for more professional higher studies courses by opening officer study centers at Buththala and in Trincamalee. He also mentioned that an Education Corps will be raised in the near future enabling training instructors for Army training programs. We were able to uplift the conditions of the camps by putting prefabricated buildings, he said.
Laya hotel chain is another welfare facility given to soldiers. New hospital complex with 1045 beds with latest facilities for the use of soldiers and their family members is to be opened shortly, he said.
In conclusion, the Commander informed everyone to support the government’s nation-building effort and thanked all previous course officers for making him to be what he is today. He expects that everyone to support the new Army commander Major General R.M.D Rathnayaka as well.
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