NEW PARATROOPERS RECEIVED PARACHUTE INSIGNIAS BY THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY

An insignia awarding ceremony was held at the Army Headquarters on 06 February 2024, to honour the newly graduated paratroopers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Sri Lanka Army who completed the Basic Airborne Course - MNDF 04. Lieutenant General HLVM Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest to confer the prestigious insignia. Fourteen MNDF and thirteen Sri Lanka Army Commandos, including the present Provost Marshal of the Sri Lanka Army and the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police, Major General ACA de Zoysa USP Hdmc Lsc, received their Airborne insignias from the Commander of the Army, who was also a fellow member of the same course.

In his speech, the Commander of the Army congratulated the decorated paratroopers, acknowledging their rigorous training and determination in earning the parachute insignia. He also expressed appreciation for the jump masters and instructors of the Parachute Training Wing of the Commando Regiment for their dedication and commitment throughout the training. During the ceremony, the Commander of the Army posed for a group photograph with the newly graduated foreign and local paratroopers.

This day marked a significant milestone for the Sri Lanka Army, as it was the first time in history that a Commander of the Army successfully completed the Basic Airborne Course, which involves rigorous training and numerous challenges. This historic achievement sets a precedent for the entire Army, demonstrating that its ranks are young and capable of facing any challenge. The Commander emphasized in his speech that regardless of age and rank, individuals can achieve anything with self-motivation, willingness, and dedication. The Provost Marshal presented the course album to the Commander of the Army during the ceremony. Finally, the ceremony concluded, followed by refreshments arranged at Army Headquarters.

The Chief of Staff, Major General WHKS Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndu, along with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General SPAIMB Samarakoon Hdmc Lsc, and the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General MK Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu, were joined with Principal Staff Officers, Director Generals, Directors, and Senior Officers from Army Headquarters. The General Officer Commanding of the 53 Infantry Division and the Colonel of the Regiment of the Commando Regiment, Major General PGPS Rathnayaka RWP RSP ndc, the Regimental Center Commandant Commando Regiment, Brigadier BMSKK Dharmawardhana RWP RSP USP, the Commander Commando Brigade, Brigadier KVIL Jayaweera USP, the Deputy Center Commandant Brigadier RGLK Weerakoon RWP RSP, and the Commandant of the Commando Regiment Training School, Colonel RRC Karunarathna RWP. The other senior officers, officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and non-commissioned officers, attended for the occasion.