CORPS OF SIGNALS WELCOMED THE INCOMING COLONEL COMMANDANT

The Sri Lanka Signal Corps presented military honours and warm greetings to the newly-appointed Colonel Commandant, Major General NM Hettiarachchi USP psc Hdmc during the formal ceremony held at the Signals Regimental Headquarters at Panagoda on Thursday, 2 May 2019. Major General N M Hettiarachchi USP psc Hdmc, Chief Signal Officer Sri Lanka Army assumed office as the 9^th Colonel Commandant in Sri Lanka Signal Corps.

As the initial military formality new Colonel Commandant was warmly welcomed by Signals Regimental Centre Commandant at the entrance of regimental headquarters complex and the commencement of the ceremony marked the guard turnout. Then Colonel Commandant paid tribute to fallen war heroes at the Regimental monument.

Ceremonial military parade commanded by Lt Col PHN Chandrasekara, Commanding Officer 5^th Regiment Sri Lanka Signal Corps, was accorded in honour of the newly appointed Colonel Commandant for his time-honored reviewing. Then in the office, Major General Nilantha Hettiarachchi lit the traditional oil lamp and took over the duties with the responsibilities of the Corps of Signals at the auspicious time by signing the first official document amidst of chanting Seth Pirith by clergies. The day’s ceremony was preceded with the subsequent events of addressing all Officers, addressing all Ranks, Tea with all Ranks at ORs Mess and courtesy lunch at the Officers’ Mess.

The Colonel Commandant SLSC Major General Nilantha Hettiarachchi was born on 25 February 1965. Having successfully completed the primary and secondary education at Ananda College, Colombo he joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in Intake 21, on 6 June 1985 and successfully completed the basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyathalawa and Officers’ training school of Pakistan Army. After having attained prestigious commissioned rank of Second Lieutenant on 25 January 1986 and posted to Sri Lanka Signal Corps he began his professional military career. Since then, he has rendered his dedicated duty, honour and respect to the Corps of Signals as well as to the Army as a professional Signaller. Major General Nilantha Hettiarachchi is also the present Chief Signal Officer of the Sri Lanka Army. During his thirty-three years of unblemished active service he has held many Command, Instructional and Staff appointments in various capacities in operational and non-operational areas in the country.