12th July 2019 08:50:51 Hours
Major General Mahinda Mudalige RWP RSP ndu, the General Officer Commanding 24 Division relinquished the office of 24 Division on 08 July 2019 and will be appointed as the new Commander Security Forces (West). He will be succeeded by Brigadier AI Marasinghe RWP RSP as the new General Officer Commanding 24 Division.
The series of formalities held at Headquarters 24 Division in connection with the relinquishment of the appointment commenced with reviewing of the Guard Turnout accorded to the outgoing General Officer Commanding on arrival to the venue. The Chief Guest inspected the Guard of Honour accorded to him by troops of the 8 Battalion of Sri Lanka National Guard in keeping with military traditions.
Subsequently, the outgoing GOC participated for an all ranks lunch and addressing the troops, thanked the staff for all generous support extended during the office as the third General Officer Commanding of 24 Division. Further, he emphasized the importance of the military role during the present context and instructed the troops to ensure formal & situational training to enhance professionalism in order to maintain the readiness in any contingency. He specially urged to maintain higher level of discipline, professionalism and loyalty towards the country and for the Sri Lanka Army and appraised the role played by Sri Lanka Army on national security needs.
Meanwhile, he was presented with tokens of appreciation from Officers, Senior Non Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks admiring his exemplary leadership and remarkable service rendered to 24 Division throughout his long tenure of 3 years as the General Officer Commanding of 24 Division which is the far most located division in the Eastern Theater and one of the highly sensitive areas of the country.
All Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers and number of Other Ranks representing different establishments of 24 Division attended the occasion.
It was much significant that the civil community representing Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims too joined the occasion in honour of this exemplary character for his untiring effort taken to strengthen the community bond enhancing the reconciliation among all ethnic groups.
