Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Creates New History

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army, achieved the status of Military Paratrooper on 22 January 2024, through his profound expertise and knowledge in the military parachuting. The Commander's journey to become a Military Paratrooper took place at the Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) in Kudaoya.

On 22 January 2024, the Commander of the Army, with other participants including 18 military personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force and 14 members from the Sri Lanka Army, took to the skies aboard an MI-17 helicopter at the Uhana Air Force Base runway. The Commander executed parachute jumps over the Uhana Air Force Base drop zone, officially joining the esteemed family of airborne soldiers.

The Commander of the Army successfully underwent a vigorous and extensive specialized Parachute Course at CRTS Kudaoya, a training facility designed for airborne operations. This rigorous training was conducted by a meticulous team of versatile and seasoned military professionals, namely Major Wasantha Dissanayaka RWP RSP, Sergeant T.G.H Sudesh Kumara, Corporal S.S.U.K Sooriyage, and they diligently imparted their resourceful skills and techniques to elevate the Commander of the Army into a highly proficient military paratrooper, meeting rigorous standards of excellence.

Major General Shanaka Rathnayake RWP RSP ndc, Colonel of the Regiment of Commando Regiment, Brigadier Anujeewa Balasooriya RWP RSP USP psc, Personal Security Officer (PSO) to the Commander of the Army, Colonel Chaminda Karunarathna RWP, Commandant CRTS, Major Nalin Kulathunga RWP RSP USP psc, Chief Instructor of CRTS Para Wing and Major Sameera Vidanagamage psc, Assistant Jump Master offered invaluable guidance crucial for the success of the entire course within the stipulated timeframe, ensuring precision and excellence.

This great feat of the Army Chief was made into a reality with the profound assistance of Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa RSP and two Bars, VSV, USP, MSc (MOA) USA, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MA in IS&S (UK), BSc (Def Stu), MIM (SL), AMIE (SL), rcds, psc, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Group Captain Lalith Sugathadasa USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), Pg Dip (Def Mgt), psc, Commanding Officer of Air Force Camp, Ampara. Furthermore, the commendable guidance and training support offered to the Army Commander by Wing Commander Vijitha Gomis, Commanding Officer of Parachute Training School in Ampara, played a vital role in the successful completion of the final module of the training.

Achieving the qualification as a Paratrooper by the Commander of the Army is not merely a personal accomplishment however a milestone that symbolises the steadfast and unwavering commitment of an exemplary and charismatic military leadership. The skies above Uhana Air Force Base bore witnesses of a historic moment, adding a new chapter to the legacy of the military history of Sri Lanka Army.

Further, this incomparable achievement is a significant milestone in the annals of the Sri Lankan military history as it marks the first-ever attainment of the designation; Military Paratrooper by a distinguished individual holding the esteemed rank of Lieutenant General, who is concurrently serving as the Commander of the Army. Further, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Commander of the Army has attained remarkable distinction as the eldest highest-ranking military personnel to successfully qualify as a Military Paratrooper. Moreover, the Army Commander’s exemplary accomplishment will undoubtedly boost the morale of Officer Cadets, newly commissioned young Officers, recruits and Senior Non-commissioned Officers of the Sri Lanka Army, encouraging them to take a new leap in their military careers.

Major General Clifford de Zoysa USP Hdmc Lsc, Provost Marshal and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police also joined the Army Chief and successfully completed the Parachute Course.

A military paratrooper constitutes a parachutist specially trained for airborne operations, serving as an essential component of airborne forces. Employed extensively since World War II, these individuals demonstrate exceptional proficiency in executing surprise attacks and seizing strategic objectives, such as airfields and bridges, through strategic parachute deployment. The versatile military paratroopers clearly indicate the power of the military, guaranteeing its operational efficiency at the highest level. Thus, for the Armed Forces of any nation, it is absolutely imperative to rigorously train its paratroopers to the highest standards.