15th May 2022 14:23:14 Hours
On the sidelines of the main ceremony at the Gemunu Watch (GW) Regimental Headquarters at Kuruwita, Ratnapura General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army was invited to vest the newly-developed hardball cricket pitch in the premises in the GW troops by unveiling a plaque on Wednesday (4).
In a surprising move, the day’s Chief Guest General Shavendra Silva threw the first ball to the wickets in the new hardball cricket pitch symbolically and inaugurated it amid roars of applause of the gathering. He also opened side wickets, meant for practising purposes at the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment, Gemunu Watch around the same time.
A few minutes later, an appreciative token was presented by the Chief Guest to Bombardier Ajith Kumara who was instrumental in throwing his full weight behind the preparation of this new pitch and erection of cricket ground facilities using his technical expertise.
GW Regimental troops have been engaged in the promotion of cricket as a popular game in the organization for many years and have made considerable contribution to the grooming of cricketers for the Army.
The Chief of Staff, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Commander, Army Logistics Command, Senior Officers and invitees attending the main ceremony, held to receive the salute of the troops bound for Mali were also present during this segment of the day’s proceedings.
