30th January 2023 10:01:36 Hours
The 9th contingent of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC), ready to leave for the United Nations Peace-Keeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to serve the Level-2 SRIMED Hospital before their departure presented a ceremonial salute to Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army at the SLAMC Regimental Headquarters ground at Werahera on Wednesday (25).
Brigadier M.M Salwathura RWP RSP USP, the Centre Commandant at SLAMC Regimental HQ after a warm welcome to the day’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage invited him to receive the Guard Turnout at the entrance, presented by SLAMC troops as a formality upon his arrival.
Subsequently, Brigadier P.A.C Fernando USP, Colonel Commandant of the SLAMC and Director General Army Health Services warmly welcomed the day’s Chief Guest formally and ushered him to the parade ground where the Parade Commander reported and requested the day’s protagonist to review the ceremonial parade, accorded on his behalf. After a while, the Army Chief took the salute in conformity with military traditions.Adding symbolic importance to the Sri Lanka Army’s UN assignment, the day’s Chief Guest handed over the National flag, United Nations flag, Army flag, and the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps flag to the SRIMED bound contingent Commander as part of the formalities, denoting that their preparations for the mission are now complete and ready to undertake responsibilities. The 9th South Sudan bound contingent, commanded by Colonel M.P.S.R Amarasekara USP and 2nd in Command, Major J.A.D.C.H Jayasinghe is made up of 66 Army personnel, including 17 Officers and 49 Other Ranks.
The contingent includes 40 Others Ranks from SLAMC which consists Ward In-Charge, nurses, critical care nurses, operation theatre technicians, physiotherapists, a radiographer, an x-ray technician, radiologist, dentist and dental assistant, a dental technician, a medical storeman, a pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, a lab technician, lab technologists, communication technicians, a hygiene assistant, administrative clerks, cooks, ambulance drivers, sanitary cleaners, mortuary attendants, also the contingent is with Other Ranks of Sri Lanka Signal Corps (02), Corps of Engineer Service (02), Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (04) and the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (01).
The Army Chief soon after the ceremonial parade addressed the contingent and highlighted the significance of the overseas assignment to the country and Sri Lanka Army. “Let me extend my best wishes to all of you, who are set to undertake a very responsible overseas assignment at this critical juncture of mother Lanka. Everyone should remember that it is your conduct that mirrors your professional standards and reflects your commitment with discipline.” he opined.
The 8th Sri Lankan (SRIMED) contingent already serving the UN assignment in South Sudan is expected to return home shortly soon after the new 9th contingent takes over their duties on 2 February.
Major General D.G.S Senarath Yapa RWP RSP ndu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe RSP USP ndu, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters, Senior Officers and Other Ranks participated in the event.
