Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka takes reins as country\'s 18th Army Commander

\"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it\" - Winston Churchill

Sri Lanka\'s newly appointed Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General G.S.C Fonseka RWP RSP rcds psc assumed office Tuesday (06) morning as 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army during a formal ceremony, dignified by the presence of religious dignitaries and a host of Senior Army Officers.

Fluttering colourful flags of all Army Regiments at the Army Commander's office premises adorned the historic event and added grandeur and colour to the dignified occasion, as troops of the new Commander's own Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) took position awaiting the arrival of the new Commander.

Ceremonials befitting military traditions started off as the clock struck 9.00 a.m. when the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion received the new Commander Lieutenant General G. S. C Fonseka on arrival at the entrance to the complex where he was invited to inspect the Guard Turnout in conformity with military traditions.

Consequent on that was the Guard of Honour, the highest salute in military, presented by soldiers of the SLSR to the new Commander. After inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Commander, the Colonel of the SLSR Regiment conducted him to the Saluting Dais to receive the salute. After this honoured military spectacle that befitted this memorable occasion, the new Commander to paid obeisance to religious denominations of major faiths after he was welcomed at the main porch to the Commander's office complex by the coterie of Senior Officers who gathered there.

A distinguished group of Maha Sangha (prelates) performed Buddhist religious rites and invoked blessings on the new appointment after the new Commander and Senior Officers lit the traditional auspicious lamp. The occasion was followed by Catholic, Hindu and Islamic observances as well.

Offer of \"Pirikara\" to Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries saw Lieutenant General Fonseka being conducted to his office where he placed his signature to the first official document to mark his ascent to the mantle of his dignified military career spanning over thirty-five years.

The day's ceremony with his address to the troops afterwards occupied the centre-stage as the inaugural message gave inspiration to the Army and rekindled all hopes of peace, prosperity and harmony to the motherland, which he, together with thousands of valiant soldiers has hitherto defended at the expense of their precious lives.

Afterwards, Commander Lt. General Fonseka shared refreshments with all ranks and moved into the conference hall at Commander's office to meet both local and foreign media scribes who were all agog to speak to the 18th Commander of the Army.

As the one-hour long Press briefing that evoked interest and enthusiasm ended, the Commander took time off to address his Officers who gathered on the occasion before the day's proceedings came to a close after marking another milestone in the annals of history of the Sri Lanka Army.