Defenders of the Nation, the Sri Lanka Army on Wednesday (1) greeted the dawn of the first working day of the New Year - 2014 with a customary ceremony at Colombo Army Headquarters amid military formalities and traditions.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest, gave the pride of prominence to the country and hoisted the National Flag while Major General Crishantha de Silva, Chief of Staff simultaneously raised the Army flag to be in line with military formalities. National Anthem and the Army Song ‘Sagarayen Wata - Me mage Mau Rata’ sung together by all those who were present, reverberated as the next item on the agenda.
Observance of a one-minute silence afterwards honoured the memory of all those who made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of the country as the clock struck 9.14 a.m.
The State service commitment pledge that reminds state officials’ unfailing duty to serve the public and the State under One country, One nation and One flag was then read out by Major General Jagath Dias, Adjutant General as is the practice in all island-wide state institutions on the first working day of the New Year.
Next, the Commander of the Army rose to his feet to deliver his traditional New Year message which normally sets out the vision for the incoming New Year. In his address, the Commander paid a tribute to the untiring contribution, being rendered by all ranks for development of the country in the aftermath of the critical humanitarian operations. ‘Your exemplary dedication and commitment have already borne fruits and received commendations from personages, like HE the President and Secretary Defence’, he added.
He also reminded the restructuring process now underway in the organization after culmination of the humanitarian operations and promotion of professional knowledge with technological innovations among all ranks by improving the infrastructure facilities at island-wide Army training institutes.
The Commander further spelt out the measures that have been taken in the past four years for the best interests of all ranks by way of a number of welfare projects. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the highest levels of discipline among all ranks, safeguarding the reputation of the organization at all times.
He also made some salutary remarks on the roles played by War Heroes in the past by way of laying their precious lives, sacrifice of legs and limbs, fearless commitment to the service, etc.
As is the practice every year, the Commander ended the New Year day’s programme with an interactive tea table meet of traditional sweet meats where all ranks had the rare opportunity of sharing a couple of thoughts with the Commander and other senior officers.
As the second leg of the day’s itinerary, the Commander, accompanied by Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch and senior officers, visited Colombo Military Hospital to meet a cross section of the Army personnel under treatment.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and Mrs Ratnayake gave away symbolic gift parcels to the hospital inmates and exchanged a couple of thoughts with them after inquiring into their well-being.
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