23rd January 2018 15:05:49 Hours
The Passing out Parade of the 45th batch of the Commandos, including 4 officers and 392 soldiers took place on Saturday (21) at Uva-Kudaoya Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) premises.
Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary to Defence graced as the Chief Guest at the premises at the invitation of the Commander of the Army.
On arrival at the venue, the Chief Guest was received by Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army in the company of Brigadier Ralph Nugera, Colonel of the Regiment, Commando Regiment (CR) and inspected the Guard Turnout at the entrance to the premises. A few minutes later, a Guard of Honour accorded for the Chief Guest who along with the Parade Commander inspected it.
As the parade stood on attention, parents and next of kin of passed out officers and soldiers pinned Commando badges on each and every officer and soldier who successfully completed the course.
Later on, the Chief Guest, Commander of the Army and Colonel of Regiment, CR and several senior officers awarded Maroon Berets to officers and soldiers who passed out as symbols of their identity.
Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi awarded special prizes for students who have performed exceptionally well throughout the Commando course during the ceremony.
The award for the Best Student of the Course awarded to Lieutenant S H G Fernando while the Best Shot award was awarded to Private. Madushanka H R.A. The award for the Best Student in Physical Fitness awarded to Lieutenant Senevirathna S M A G.
At the end of the ceremony, a special live display of Commando soldiers, depicting their combat skills got underway adding thrill to the occasion. The live show focused on its untiring strength, military skills and fighting capabilities of unprecedented nature.
In what appeared to be a country record, a renowned Army Commando parachutist, Major M N P S Siranjeewa of 1 Commando Regiment, made history on the occasion by jumping off from a height of 4000 ft together with his pet, the War Dog, Teesha and landed safely amid thundering applause.
In addition, the entertaining segment of the ceremony included parachute landing, Taekwondo, War Dog show and Sniper Display and several other items. Officers and soldiers including Colonel K A Samarasiri, Commandant, CRTS, Major A M S Amarakoon, Chief Instructor, CRTS and about 8,000 relatives and friends of Commando graduates witnessed the day pectacular event. Senior officers Major General A K S Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters- Central (SFHQ-C) and Major General G R H Dias, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 12 Division were also present.
COMMANDO PARACHUTIST MAKES HISTORY DESCENDING WITH WAR DOG, TEESHA
The Commando parachutist Major M N P S Siranjeewa (48) of 1 Commando Regiment added a new chapter to Sri Lanka field of parachuting and made Commandos further recognized when he during a mini-tattoo type display of aerobatics at the Passing Out Parade at Kudaoya, Commando Training School on Saturday (21), descended from a height of 4000 ft holding the pet War Dog, Teesha together with him as onlookers burst into a thundering applause which reverberated the CRTS premises for several minutes.
The Chief Guest at the PoP Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence, together with Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army was overjoyed at the chilling achievement of the parachutist who was making his final fall on Saturday (21) and expressed his appreciation on the daring act.
The parachutist, Major Siranjeewa during his 20 year long parachute career has participated in many international events, state functions and other ceremonies after this parachute training began in 1995.
Motivated by several of his senior officers, including Brigadier L W H Gamage, Centre Commandant, Commando Regiment, the parachutist made up his mind to make this new record since no such sky drop had ever been reported carrying a pet dog.
Sri Lanka Air Force MI-17 Helicopter piloted by Flight Lieutenant Rajive Jayawickrama in a skillful manner manoeuvered the craft and ensured the safe drop for Major Siranjeewa. Major Siranjeewa made the Army proud by participating in many international and national events including ˜Indian World Military Parachute Championship at Hyderabad in 2008 and China Korea Friendship Tournament at Beijing in 2009.
The parachutist who stunned the spectators with his outstanding but the final descent in the presence of a distinguished gathering, expects to display another feat carrying the Army flag, provided the Commander consent is granted in the near future before he retires from the career of parachuting.
