THE CEREMONIAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRST WORKING DAY IN THE YEAR 2026

The dawn of the “New Year 2026” was ceremonially marked with military formalities presided by Major General K V N P Premaratne RSP USP nps psc - the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), on 01 January 2026 at the Headquarters, SLAVF.

The day’s formalities began with the hoisting of the National Flag by the Commandant, SLAVF and the SLAVF flag by Brigadier H A Hapugoda USACGSC - the Principal Staff Officer, and the National Anthem and the Army Song were recited as the flags were on the full swing. Afterwards, the troops commemorated the memory of fallen war heroes by observing a two-minute silence.

The gathering in attendance pledged their allegiance to the State by reading the Government Servants’ Oath before the Commandant, SLAVF with the determination to discharge of their duties to the utmost satisfaction of the public and to implement the policies of the government for the New Year efficiently and effectively.

In the wake of the formal events, the troops listened to the warmest greetings extended by the Commander of the Army for the New Year. The official message emphasized on the importance of discipline, integrity, and modernization within the Army along with a solemn acknowledgement of the sacrifice of war heroes. He further highlighted the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative which aims to foster a critical environmental, social, and ethical challenge that promise of a cleaner, more sustainable future of the nation.

Subsequently, all ranks of the Headquarters, SLAVF gathered with a tea ritual arranged at the pavilion of the “Rendezvous Ground” of the Headquarters Premises. During the session, New Year gifts and parcels of dry-ration items were handed for a strength of civil employees and soldiers who faced hardships in the aftermath of the disaster.

The Commandant, SLAVF extended his best wishes for all the members and their families for the New Year during the interactive session. The event was attended by senior officers, officers, other ranks and civil servants of the Headquarters, SLAVF.