Sri Lanka Engineers & Sri Lanka Artillery Emerge Best in Drill & Band Competitions
Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest graced the awarding ceremony of the colourful routine annual spectacle of the year, Inter Regiment Drill and Band Competition this evening (10) at the 6 Sri Lanka Artillery grounds at Panagoda Army Cantonment. \r\n\r\nThe multi-coloured Drill Display that testifies to the high standards of discipline among members of the Army took center stage as the first item on the day’s agenda amid a mammoth gathering of enthusiastic Army personnel. \r\n\r\nAfterwards, adding rhythmic and soothing melodies to the occasion, the Army band groups, attired in eye-catching dresses, followed and showcased their band playing talents, amidst loud cheering.\r\n\r\nThe climax of the day\'s events was the presentation of trophies, medals and certificates to the Best teams, Best platoon leaders, both men and women in respective drill platoons and leaders in the Best Band display teams. \r\n\r\nIn the Inter Regiment Drill competition, the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), the Regiment to which the incumbent Commander of the Army who is the day\'s Chief Guest belongs, emerged as the 1st and the Best. \r\n\r\n2nd and 3rd places went to Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) and Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) teams respectively. \r\n\r\nSri Lanka Army Women\'s Corps and Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps teams competed in the Women\'s sector, and after a close competition, Sri Lanka Army Women\'s Corps emerged winners in Drills. \r\n\r\nWarrant Officer-I D.M.S. Sumanadasa of Sri Lanka Engineers became the Best Drill Instructor while Lieutenant C.C. Wendaruwa of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps was selected as the Best Squadron Commander (women\'s). Captain U.B. Marasinghe of Sri Lanka Artillery became the Best Squadron Commander (men\'s). \r\n\r\nCaptain M.A.B.I. Abeysinghe of Sri Lanka Engineers and Captain B.D.M.N. Amarasekara of Sri Lanka National Guard, secured 2nd and 3rd places respectively and carried away trophies and awards. \r\n\r\nBand talents which evoked much enthusiasm became the focal point of the ceremony afterwards as the gathering burst into a loud applause. \r\n\r\nThe 1st place in the Band competition was won by Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) while the 2nd and 3rd places were secured respectively by Sri Lanka Army Service Corps and Engineer Service Regiment. Bombardier R.H.M.B.B. Rajakaruna of Sri Lanka Artillery won as the best Band Master.\r\n\r\nThe Chief Guest gave away those awards to leading winners in the competitions and congratulated each and every one of them.\r\n\r\nIn a brief address to the occasion after award of trophies, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Chrishanthe De Silva, extended his praise and appreciation to all the members of Bands and Drill display teams of very high standards and also to those who organized the entire event.\r\n\r\nA large gathering of senior officers, officers, other rankers and invitees attended the awarding ceremony at Panagoda. \r\n
