23rd September 2025 17:22:39 Hours
The Passing Out Parade (PoP) of the Commando Course – 52 A & B, comprising 07 Officers and 78 Other Ranks, took place on 20 September 2025 at the Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS), Uva-Kudaoya.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest together with Mrs Swendrini Dissanayake, President of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit, at the invitation of Major General K H M S Wickramaratne RSP, Commander 1 Corps and Colonel of the Regiment of Commando Regiment (CR).
On arrival, the Chief Guest was received by the Major General K H M S Wickramaratne RSP Commander 1 Corps and Colonel of the Regiment along with Lieutenant Colonel K R J M B Kandewatta RWP USP, Commandant (Overlooking) of CRTS, and was accorded a Guard Turnout followed by the graduation parade.
During the ceremony, parents and next of kin of Officers and Soldiers pinned Commando badges on the graduates who successfully completed the course.
Subsequently, the Chief Guest, together with the Colonel of the Regiment of CR and Major General H D L S Perera RWP RSP ndc General Officer Commanding 22 Infantry Division, awarded Maroon Berets to Officers and Soldiers who passed out, symbolizing their identity and professional dignity. The Commander of the Army then awarded special prizes to graduates who had excelled in the Commando course.
The award for the Best Commando was presented to Lieutenant R M R U Dissanayake, while the Best Shooter award was conferred on Lieutenant N M S C Dissanayake. The award for the Best Student in Physical Training was presented to Lance Corporal Weerasinghe W M C S.
After the parade formalities, a band display and rappelling demonstration took place. Adding memories to the event, the Army Chief posed for a group photograph.
Later, the Army Chief symbolically inaugurated the newly constructed young Officers’ accommodation area. Thereafter, at the Drop Zone, the Chief Guest witnessed a sniper demonstration, Commando confidence firing, Commando real fighting, Hostage Rescue and Counter Terrorism demonstrations, K9 display and skydiving, as the final segment of the day’s programme. These showcased the untiring strength, military skills, and exceptional fighting capabilities of the Commandos.
The Army Chief then interacted with the newly graduated Commandos and their families. At the culmination of the event, the Chief Guest penned a note in the visitors’ book.
Major General D K S K Dolage USP nps psc, Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Y A B M Yahampath RWP RSP ndu psc, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and families participated in the Passing Out Parade (PoP).
