22nd October 2021 15:00:19 Hours
The ‘Home of Signals’ at its Panagoda Regimental Headquarters marked its milestone 78th Regimental Day during 15 - 19 October with a variety of commemorative ceremonies.
All arrangements, organized on the guidelines given by Major General Asoka Peiris, Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC) and Chief Signal Officer, together with Senior Officers, including Major General Lalith Herath, Deputy Commandant DSCSC, SLSC Centre Commandant, Brigadier Sudantha Fonseka, Senior Officers and Other Ranks commenced prioritizing religious ceremonies of all denominations.
Those religious observances of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths culminated with transfer of merits to fallen SLSC War Heroes and invoking blessings on the forward-march of the SLSC in the years to come.
As part of the religious segment of the anniversary, an all-night ‘Pirith’ chanting with the participation of 17 Buddhist monks got underway at the Regimental HQ premises. The Colonel Commandant, Major General Asoka Peiris along with Mrs Sajeewani Peiris, Chairperson, SLSC Seva Vanitha Unit, Senior Officers, Spouses and Other Ranks were there to join the overnight programme. The following morning (16), the offer of ‘Heel Daana’ (breakfast) to members of the Maha Sangha brought the religious ceremonies to end.
The climax of the anniversary day (October 19) reached with formalities and ceremonials on the Regimental Day soon after the arrival of the day’s Chief Guest, Major General Asoka Peiris. He was greeted to a Guard Turnout salute at the entrance to the Regimental HQ after the Chief Guest was received by Brigadier Sudantha Fonseka, Centre Commandant SLSC.
Soon after a group photograph at the SLSC premises, led the Chief Signal Officer and the Colonel Commandant SLSC to address Signal Officers who had gathered there on account of the anniversary.
During a subsequent anniversary lunch, Senior Officers gave away trophies and mementos to the units who have achieved gains in sports events in the past two years before the Colonel Commandant appreciated outstanding personnel in the SLSC by awarding Regimental colours to them and presenting trophies to the best Regiments in the year 2020 & 2021.
As the final segment, the Chief Guest addressed the gathering and extended best wishes to all serving the SLSC with commitment and dedication. Major General Lalith Herath, Deputy Commandant, DSCSC, Brigadier General Staff, SFHQ-Central, Centre Commandant, Senior Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors and Other Ranks participated in the final event.
The Corps of Signal was inaugurated on 19 Oct 1943, but its history dates back to the era of the First World War. Since its inception, the Corps of Signals has played a pivotal role in communication field of the Army, particularly during military operations until the end of Humanitarian operations and also for the best interests of the nation. The SLSC re-affirming to the objectives of its motto, ‘Swift and Sure’ has unreservedly served the nation covering the entire communication spectrum, adding the most modern technological innovations.
The Corps of Signals on the directions and guidance of General Shavendra Silva, Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army performed a commendable role in extending its support to the COVID - 19 vaccination program of the nation while playing a major role in the field of IT and database networks.
Today, the Corps of Signals is well poised to exploit the state-of-the-art modern communication technologies for meeting the requirements of the Sri Lanka Army and to operate in a multi -dimensional threat environment.
