12th March 2020 16:25:39 Hours
‘Commando Footslog’, the proud walk of the Commando Regiment that marks the 40th anniversary of excellence commenced its tripartite walk from three different major cities, Kandy, Chilaw and Galle on Thursday (5) amid greetings and best wishes.
The milestone anniversary spectacle that mirrors inherent exceptional skills, perseverance, courage and determination of much-admired maroon beret-clad Commandos will reach its apex when all three walks end up at Galle Face Green on Sunday (8) after they arrive at the Commando Regiment HQ at Ganemulla on the previous day (7).
At Kandy, 1 CR troops after religious observances at the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) commenced the ‘Commando Footslog’ on Thursday (5) and walked along up to Kegalle and then to Pasyala, the following day (6). Covering about 100 km of distance, their journey across Kadugannawa, Mawanella, Ambepussa, Nittambuwa, Pasyala, Yakkala and Kadawatha will end at the CR HQ on Saturday (7). Brigadier Shanaka Ratnayake, CR Brigade Commander, flagged off the walk at Kandy. Lieutenant Colonel Nandana Abeykoon, Commanding Officer, 1 CR was also present at the location.
Similarly, 2 CR troops commenced their journey from Chilaw to Ganemulla on Thursday (5) after religious observances at Devagiri Raja Maha Viharaya in Chilaw. Covering about 80 km across Marawila, Wennappuwa, Negombo, Katunayake, Seeduwa, Ja-Ela, Welisara, Ragama and Welipillawa, the walk will reach Ganemulla on Saturday (7). Brigadier Upali Rajapakshe, Deputy General Officer Commanding, 58 Division flagged off the start at Chilaw. Lieutenant Colonel Upul Pilapitiya, Commanding Officer of 2 CR was also present.
In Galle, troops of 4 CR commenced their expedition on Thursday (5) at 7.30 a.m. near the Central Bus Station and proceeded across Hikkaduwa Ahungalla, Aluthgama, Beruwala and begins its final leg via Kaluthara, Panadura, Bambalapitiya, Colombo Fort and Ganemulla. The entire distance is about 149 km. The inauguration at Galle was seen by Colonel Priyankara Ubesiriwardana, Deputy Commandant, CR Regimental Headquarters at Ganemulla and the Lieutenant Colonel Saman Perera, Commanding Officer, 4 CR.
The mammoth anniversary arrangement, ‘Commando Footslog’ culminated on Sunday (8) at 3.00 p.m. at Galle Face esplanade after a long parade gathered at Bambalapitiya, inclusive of CR veterans arrives at Galle Face where a huge spectacle of inherent skills in Commandos’ .
The final spectacle at Galle Face Green on Sunday amid greetings and best wishes after hundreds of serving Commandos and CR veterans converged there in a proud procession from Bambalapitiya junction and showcased a magnificent display of their skills before a large gathering of spectators. The mammoth anniversary arrangement, ‘Commando Footslog’ culminated with the skills of Commandos’ Skydiving , BASE Jump, War Dog Handling ( K 9), Rappelling, Airborne Stunt actions, VIP Protection demonstration, Commando Real Fighting and Hostage Rescue demonstration.
