COMMANDANT SLAVF PAID HIS FORMAL VISIT TO 14TH (VOLUNTEER) BATTALION THE GEMUNU WATCH

The Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and the Colonel Commandant Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery, Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda marked his formal visit to 14 (V) Battalion the Gemunu Watch which is located within the historic and picturesque Galle Fort on 07 July 2021.

The Commandant was honoured with a drive pass at the main entrance of 14 (V) Battalion of the Gemunu Watch on his arrival and warmly welcomed by the Commanding Officer of 14 (V) GW Major S A Abesekera GW who subsequently explained the present status of the battalion to Commandant SLAVF. During the visit, the Commandant examined the present status of the camp premises which has a history of over five hundred years.

The Galle Fort which is a splendid monument that dominates the southern capital city was initially built by the Portuguese and converted by the Dutch into a magnificent and secure precinct of maritime administration. In 1883, the history records that, a Volunteer Force detachment of the British Royal Infantry Company was deployed in Galle and later, the 13th Company of the Lanka Infantry Regiment had been deployed at the same location. In a subsequent period, 2 (V) GW was originated in Galle and located within the Galle Fort. Currently, the troops of 14 (V) GW have been deployed in this premises.

During the camp visit, the Commandant instructed to make remedies for the difficulties confronted by the unit and to upgrade the communal facilities of officers and soldiers. Later, the Commandant planted a sapling to mark his visit.

Further, Commanding Officers of 3 (V) Battalion the Gemunu Watch, 12 (V) Engineer Services Regiment and 2 (V) Battalion Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock which are located in Southern area participated in the occasion and briefed about the present deployment, duties and development of the respective regiments for Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.