The Gajaba Regiment Celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a Glamorous Dinner Night at the Hilton Colombo
The Gajaba Regiment organized a majestic dinner night to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo, on the 05th of October 2014. This glamorous occasion was initiated and organized under the guidance of Maj Gen Lalith Daulagala, Col of the Regiment of The Gajaba Regiment. At the invitation of Col of the Gajaba Regiment Maj Gen SWL Daulagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, graced the occasion as the chief guest together with Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.\r\n\r\nGen Jagath Jayasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Daya Rathnayake, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Gen STT Jayasundara (Retd), most senior former Col of the Regt and the widow of the founder of the Gajaba Regiment Mrs Manel Wimalarathne were welcomed to the occasion by Maj Gen Lalith Daulagala and Mrs Saroja Daulagala.\r\n\r\nSenior officers, many other officers and spouses of the Regiment also participated at this prestigious event in celebrating its 30th anniversary. The glamour of this event was enhanced by architectural designs of the Anuradapura era and sophisticated lighting systems which reflected the proud elegance of the Gajaba Regiment.\r\n\r\nTHE SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA;\r\n\r\nIt gives me great pleasure to speak at this occasion which marks the 30th Anniversary of the Gajaba Regiment. Since its inception, the Gajaba Regiment has played a major role in upholding the security of our nation. As one of the regiment\'s founding officers, I am very proud of its many accomplishments during the last thirty years.\r\n\r\nThe Gajaba Regiment was formed under the leadership of then Lt. Col. Wijaya Wimalaratne on 14th October 1983, with the merging of the 1st Battalion of the Rajarata Rifles and the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. The Regiment was headquartered at Saliyapura, where it stands proudly today. Incidentally the selection and acquisition of this land previously for the Rajarata Rifles was my responsibility as a young officer. I am happy to note that the Gajaba regiment, which initially had only 36 officers and 752 soldiers, today has 711 officers and more than 15,000 other ranks. It is widely recognised as the one of the best, most battle hardened Regiments in the Sri Lanka Army.\r\n\r\nThe Regiment\'s excellence is attested to by its involvement in all the major operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army in the war against terrorism. I am proud to note that most of the senior commanders who played an integral role in the Humanitarian Operation between 2006 and 2009 belong to this Regiment. Even in the early years of the war, the Gajaba Regiment was instrumental in containing the rise of the LTTE and it played an integral role in the Vadamarachchi operation. Moreover, during the entire period of the conflict, many of its personnel have won numerous honours for bravery and outstanding service to the nation. 171 of its officers and more than 4,000 of its soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the motherland, and a further 87 officers and more than 4,500 soldiers have been injured in battle.\r\n\r\nMuch of the credit for the accomplishments of the Gajaba Regiment can be attributed to the inspiring leadership of its founding father, Gen. Wijaya Wimalaratne. He was responsible for guiding and training the officers under his command to become able field officers with a high degree of competence and professionalism. The most senior officers of the Regiment today can be considered his products, and they carry on the values he instilled in them. Gen. Wimalaratne was a professional in the highest sense of the word, and his continual insistence on working with dedication and commitment and to the highest standard is one of the main reasons for the success of this Regiment and its personnel.\r\n\r\nAs a leader, Gen. Wimalaratne believed that it was very important to identify the capabilities of everybody under your command, and to use their talents to the fullest without discarding anyone. He felt that a good leader would make the most of the human resources given to him by training and guiding them to improve themselves and give of their best. At the same time, he understood that it is important for leaders to instil team spirit in their subordinates and to provide them with good facilities. With this in mind, he took great care to uplift the standards of accommodation at Saliyapura, and also ensured that a strong sense of camaraderie was instilled amongst its personnel. He made sure that the officers\' families would remain close to one another by organising frequent get-togethers and social occasions that greatly helped build up the spirit of the regiment. I believe it is of the utmost importance that this spirit should continue to be cultivated within the Gajaba Regiment.\r\n\r\nFive years after the end of the war, Sri Lanka today is one of the most peaceful countries in all of Asia, and is in the midst of a wide ranging economic transformation through rapid economic growth. In a situation such as this, while maintaining national security and ensuring that our hard won peace is maintained remains the primary duty of the military, there are other roles too that it has to play. In this context, I am happy to note that the Gajaba Regiment has also contributed greatly to the national development effort over the past few years. As we all look towards building an ever brighter future, I am certain that the officers and personnel of the regiment will continue their unstinting service to Sri Lanka in whatever capacities they are required to contribute in. In closing, I wish all \"Keterians\", as Gen. Wimalaratne used to refer to the members of our regiment, to uphold the same spirit he instilled in us. I wish you all a pleasant day. Thank you.\r\n\r\nTHE SPEECH DELIVERED BY MAJOR GENERAL S W L DAULAGALA\r\n\r\nThe Secretary Ministry of Defence & Urban Development \r\nMr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Madam Ioma Rajapaksa \r\nChief of Defence Staff Gen J Jayasuriya and Madam Majulika Jayasuriya\r\nCommander of the Army Lt Gen RMD Ratnayake and Madam Damayanthi Ratnayake\r\nMaj Gen STT Jayasundara - Senior Most former Col of the Regiment and Madam Kanthi Jayasundara \r\nMadam Manel Wimalarathne \r\nAll former Colonels of the Regiment\r\nOfficers\r\nLadies & Gentlemen\r\n\r\nGood Evening...\r\n\r\nIt is a great pleasure and honour for me, as Col of the Regiment to take this opportunity to propose the Vote of Thanks on behalf of all Officers of the Gajaba Regiment; to the Secretary of Defence & Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya and Commander of the Army Lt Gen Daya Rathnayake and all ladies, Offrs and retired Offrs who are here with us today.\r\n\r\nFirst, let me express my utmost gratitude and appreciation to the Secretary of Defence & Urban Development for taking your invaluable time off, from a multitude of various other important duties and commitments to attend this prestigious event of celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Gajaba Regiment.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to spotlight your mind to a short voyage to the history of the GABAJA Regiment. The first battalion of the Gajaba Regiment was formed on 14 October 1983 with the amalgamation of Rajarata Rifles and Vijabahu Infantry Regiment, under the Command of then Lt Col Vijaya Wimalarathne at Saliyapura camp.\r\n\r\n\"Unity is Strength\" is the very straightforward motto he decided, although it entails deep connotations to this newly formed regiment to embrace with courage, determination and self esteem. Consequently, the Regiment rapidly expanded for the Clarian call of the nation, during the time where the Army considered it necessary to have additional manpower for the war machine to protect the country from the cruel clutches of terrorism being augmented at that time.\r\n\r\nWith the wholehearted blessings, then the CO, the Late Maj Gen Vijaya Wimalarathne stepped a great stride with our motto \"Unity is Strength\" paving the way for us to walk a long way while demonstrating the unity of a regiment into its success.\r\n\r\nDuring the course, the Gajaba Regiment was awarded with Presidential Colours by His Excellency the President on 16 January 2007 bringing much honour to the gallantry displayed in the battlefield. It shows that the Gajaba Regiment is a famed battle - oriented infantry regiment that has produced many soldiers of eminence. At present, the Gajaba Regiment has expanded extensively and it consists of 15 Regular Battalions, 8 Volunteer Battalions and an HQ Bn. \r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen, there is no requirement to elaborate on the tremendous contribution made by the Gajaba Regiment at the Humanitarian Operation conducted to unite the country under the leadership of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Presently as all of us aware, the troops of the regiment are providing unparalleled contribution to the development process and the nation-building programme, which has been carried out by the government.\r\n\r\nMr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa sir, what a pillar of strength & motivation and a source of encouragement you have been is no secrecy to the Gajaba Regiment on its upward momentum since its establishment. So we, being Officers of the Gajaba Regiment are most blessed to have had your inputs, guidance and advice during all these years to build this prestigious regiment towards its fine reputation as is endowed today.\r\n\r\nYou, as one of the pioneer and founding member of the Gajaba Regiment, may have undoubtedly witnessed the great achievements, which we have gained over the past few years, and also the bravery and gallantry displayed by the Officers and men right throughout the past three decades in eradicating brutal terrorism from soil of our Motherland. I being Col of the Regiment stand here today as one of the remaining pioneer members along with Maj Gen Jagath Dias, Maj Gen Sumedha Perera, Maj Gen Kamal Gunarathne, Maj Gen Udaya Perera and Maj Gen Jagath Alwis of the Gajaba Regiment, who joined initially as Second Lieutenants to the Gajaba Family can be proud of the hard won achievements, today.\r\n\r\nIn addition, I would like to greatly appreciate the trust that His Excellency the President\'s government has placed upon us when it comes to national Security and any other work. In fact, this is the unreserved trust that the fellow citizens have kept on the Gajaba Regiment from its inception, during the humanitarian operation and during the post war reconstruction scenarios.\r\n\r\nLadies and gentlemen, it is customary and traditional that, important events such as this in the Army are celebrated in a great manner. Respecting this old custom, the Gajaba Regiment is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in a grand scale today.\r\n\r\nLadies and gentlemen, it is customary and traditional that, important events such as this in the Army are celebrated in a great manner. Respecting this old custom, the Gajaba Regiment is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in a grand scale today.\r\n\r\nTonight, I would like to recollect with honour, some of the impressive moments in my life during the time when we were under the command of our father of the regiment, late Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne. Representing this determined character and a great hero of this nation, and a thorough gentleman, we have here with us today, the most honored lady of this gathering, the wife of late Maj Gen Wijaya Wimalarathne. Madam, your presence here today, is a great honour for all of us in the Gajaba Family.\r\n\r\nI am certain that, all my fellow Officers will agree with me, that there had been an enormous degree of transformation taken place in our characters due to the ethics, norms, values, discipline and leadership inculcated by our great father of the Regiment.\r\n\r\nHowever, there are no yardsticks to measure the development, which we have bring about in our Regiment. There is no uncertain terms that without those great and distinguished personalities whose heroic deeds coloured the annals of the history, the present generation wouldn�t have been experienced what this prestigious regiment, you and me inherited to them today. Moreover, the customs, etiquettes and conventions under military nature is the binding mechanism which is pertinent to be remembered.\r\n\r\nAt this moment, I would like to remember with eternal gratitude all the Officers and men who laid rest for the betterment of the country, to protect their future generations, and to protect the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all spouses of our Officers who had surely been their greatest support throughout the ups and downs in life while making a tremendous sacrifice by providing a huge courage to their husbands to fight in the forefront during the war. If you had not managed those family matters well, they would not have been able to perform their best as they did. Without you they would not have performed so fabulously. So thank you ladies for the great contribution made.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentleman, before I conclude, I would like to extend my compliments to Sec of Def & Urban Development, the Chief of Defence Staff and The Commander of the Army while admiring and greatly appreciating the exemplary leadership given by you to the members of the Armed Forces. On behalf of all Officers of the Gajaba Regiment, I would like to express my gratefulness for your gracious presence. We are extremely honored, and delighted with your presence here today.\r\n\r\nI also would like to thank all retired Gajaba Officers for the contribution to the Regiment & present here today. Senior Officers and all Officers of the Gajaba Regiment who have made a tremendous contribution to make this night treasured and memorable. Also, I have witnessed the dedicated and untiring effort of the dinner night committee, who made this event attractive and elegant.\r\n\r\nLastly I thank Banquet Manager and his staff of the Hotel Hilton for tremendous support and cooperation given to us to make this event a success. \r\nThank you Gentlemen !\r\nOfficers, ladies and gentlemen, may I now request you to kindly rise to toast this prestigious Gajaba Regiment. \r\nLadies and Gentlemen \r\nThe Ketarians...\r\n\r\n
