27th February 2020 09:33:43 Hours
Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC) troops bade farewell to the outgoing Colonel Commandant, Major General NM Hettiarachchi VSV USP psc Hdmc on Monday (24) on his retirement after having counted an illustrious service of more than 35 years in the Army. The ceremony was formally held in keeping with military traditions at the SLSC Regimental Headquarters premises at Panagoda.
The programme of events commenced with the ceremonial Guard Turnout followed by the Regimental Parade with the participation of troops from all regular and volunteer units of SLSC. The day’s programme was also included with a tea party, at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and an all rank Lunch. The programme of events culminated with a ‘Dinner Night’ hosted by the Officers at the Regimental Officers’ Mess.
The outgoing 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 where 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 was also held the appointment of Chief Signal Officer of the Sri Lanka Army. During his over thirty-four 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.
