18th July 2023 21:13:38 Hours
Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, took over duties as the 16th Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) on Sunday (16) during a simple ceremony amidst religious blessings. He is also the Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna.
The day's guest was warmly welcomed by Colonel L.H.C.R Siriwardana RSP, Deputy Centre Commandant - SLLI after he was greeted in a colourful Guard Turnout as he entered the premises.
A few minutes later, Colonel M.P.S.P Kulasekara WWV RWP RSP, SLLI Centre Commandant invited the incoming Senior Officer, Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc to take the salute in the formal Guard of Honour after reviewing. As the next item of the agenda, the new Colonel of the Regiment paid tribute to the memory of fallen SLLI War Heroes at the state-of-the art SLLI's monument by offering flowers.
It followed the customary planting of a sapling in the Regimental HQ premises as a symbol of memory and several group photographs. Afterwards, Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc in his new office lit traditional oil lamp and left his signature symbolically for an official document to signify the acceptance of the new responsibility.
Towards the end of the day's proceedings, he addressed the troops before he attended the customary All Rank tea where he took time off to interact with the troops. He succeeded Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu who just retired from the Army.SLLI Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the event.
