Sri Lanka Army’s one of the most prestigious spectacles of the year, ‘Colours Night’ that recognizes unmatched sports talents of Army personnel in the year 2014, awarded Colours and Laurels to a total of 595 sportsmen/women Thursday (12) evening before a gathering of invitees, headed by Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence at the BMICH.
At the invitation of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake whose innovative thinking and planning elevated the standards of this annual event, rekindling hopes of Army sport lovers, a host of guests, including the State Minister of Defence, Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Past Commanders and distinguished invitees, attended Thursday evening’s event.
After the ceremonial conduct of the Chief Guest, the Minister accompanied by Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, the day’s itinerary got to a start with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, observance of one-minute silence in honour of fallen War Heroes and the recital of the Army Song respectively.
Afterwards, the stage was ready for the first segment of presentation of colours to Army achievers whose achievements in the field, made the organization proud and recognized both at local or international levels.
The glittering ceremony, coloured with a number of entertaining features, flavoured with music and rhythmic beats afterwards, allowed the day’s Chief Guest, Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence to express his views and offer congratulations to the recipients of Colours.
In his brief oration to the occasion, the Minister spoke high of the sports skills of Army personnel who have done the country proud and outstanding.
Thursday’s (12) glamorous event presented Colours to a representative gathering of 75 Army personnel out of the total, who have outshone with the highest number of medals and achievements in the year 2014.
In the past two years, inspirational guidance and initiatives of the Commander elevated the field of Army sports to new heights in more than 35 athletic and sports events. In the year 2014 alone, Army sportsmen/women have secured 61 international medals, including 21 Gold and 12 Silver ones, representing either the Army or the country.
Meticulously designed and colourfully choreographed Army ‘Colours Night – 2014’ was held for the fourth time after culmination of the brutal war against terrorism in 2009. However, the Army ‘Colours Night’ had earlier been staged intermittently during the period 1983 - 2009.
The day’s event saw Army sportsmen/women excelled in Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Para Archery, Para Power Lifting, Para Athletics, Wheelchair Marathon, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabadi, Karate, Motor Sports, Weight Lifting, Power Lifting, Rugby, Rowing, Shooting, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Wushu and Volleyball received Army Colours during the ceremony.
Minister Wijewardene, Mr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, past Commanders and a few most senior Army Officers joined the distribution of Colours and laurels to the laureates on the occasion.
However, due to the large numbers, remaining recipients are to receive their awards at respective Regimental Centres within a few days.
Commander of the Army at the end of the event thanked each and everyone for the cooperation given to make the arrangement a resounding success.
Mr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, spouses of Navy and Air Force Commanders, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General R Rathnasingham, Director General Sports, senior officers and a huge gathering of invitees graced the event.
Separate ceremonies that were held at the BMICH premises during February 10, 11 & 12 felicitated more than 150 past veterans in the Army sports field under three segmented ceremonies. A special Photo Exhibition, staged at the same premises for all three days, displayed a large assortment of Army produced athletes, sportsmen/women and photos of historic importance.
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