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Indian Army Chief’s Presence at SLMA Provides Moral Boost to new officers

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Published December 24, 2012 | By admin
SOURCE: DEFENCE SRI LANLA

Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at the garrison town of Diyatalawa, which has hitherto produced a fine assortment of quality officers of high-standards as the country’s premier seat of Army learning for Officer Cadets since its historical founding, had the rare honour of welcoming India’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bikram Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC on Saturday (22) as the Chief Guest for the year-end Passing out Parade (PoP), the most glittering and proud spectacle of the SLMA.

The day’s itinerary of the visiting India’s Army Chief this morning commenced soon after he drove past the Guard Turnout, presented in his honour at the main archway to the SLMA in accordance with military traditions and directly took part in a special remembrance service at the SLMA war memorial in the premises.

Before he walked to the War Memorial, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, together with the Commandant SLMA Brigadier Priyantha Jayasundara welcomed the visiting Indian Army Chief to the SLMA precincts.

Paying his respect and saluting, the visiting Indian Army Chief laid a floral wreath at the memorial as a tribute to the memory of fallen War Heroes.

Precisely at 9.00 a.m. as the Chief Guest was entering, Army bands with their rhythmic beats and associated formalities heralded the inauguration of the most central segment of the commissioning ceremony where 157 Cadet Officers of the Intakes 74, 74B, 75 A, 52 (V) and 2 Lady Intakes were to receive their commissioning swords from the day’s distinguished guest.

The Chief Guest, at the invitation of the SLMA Commandant afterwards amidst cheers and greetings awarded the prestigious swords to those 157 Cadet Officers, symbolizing commissioning of those officers before receiving the salute from them in a colourful parade in the company of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Participation of the lady cadet officers in the parade added elegance and colour to the event as a large gathering of invitees looked on. The Parade Commander was Major K.A.M.P Karunaratne of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC).

Battalion Under Officer, Officer Cadet, U.L.M Silva of the Intake 74 and Platoon Under officer, Officer Cadet, W.B.C.D Wijepala of the Intake 74B were honoured with award of the Sword of Honour for the Best Overall Performance.

Minutes after the main highlight in the commissioning ceremony was over, the visiting Indian Army Chief added eternal memories to the SLMA premises by planting a tree sapling in the compound at the invitation of the SLMA Commandant before the stage was made set for unforgettable group photos of those new officers with the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Exchange of mementos and placement of signatures during these sessions attached further significance.

At the final lap of the day’s PoP ceremony, General Singh once again as the Chief Guest was to attend the much-awaited and etiquette-rich ‘Commissioning Dinner’ tradition that has been very much recognized and popular in the corridors of the SLMA since the times of the colonial masters.

A large gathering of diplomats, senior officers, distinguished invitees, parents and well-wishers witnessed the day’s main highlights.

General Bikram Singh is bids farewell to Sri Lanka Sunday (23) morning.

General Bikram Singh, India’s Chief of Army Staff, arrived in Sri Lanka Wednesday (19) afternoon on a five-day goodwill tour with a five-member delegation at the invitation of his Sri Lankan host, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army.
 
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