Header
25th March 2021 12:04:43 Hours
Volunteer Force Training School (VFTS) which has a long history of more than 118 years for training Officers and Other Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army, staged one more of its Passing Out Parades (POP) of recruits on 23 March 2021 in the presence of a distinguished military gathering.
In an impressive ceremonial military parade, one hundred and eighty eight (188) new recruits passed out from the VFTS, upon completion of their intensive four – month long basic recruit training course.
The Course No - 79 was conducted from 23 November 2020 to 23 March 2021 under the supervision of Directorate of Training, Army Training Command (ARTRAC), and Recruit Training Coordination Centre.
The Passing out Parade was ceremonially held at the historical Rendezvous parade ground of VFTS as an elegant event with the participation of Major General NR Lamahewage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander Security Force (Central) and Colonel of the Regiment Sri Lanka National Guard as the Chief Guest.
On his arrival to the venue, the Chief Guest was warmly welcomed by Col HA Keerthinatha RSP KSP psc the Commandant VFTS and he was accorded with a Guard Turnout. Then, he was ushered to the saluting dais where he reviewed the parade and received the salute. The parade was commanded by Major MW Wishwamithra psc SLAC, the Chief Instructor of VFTS.
The event was colorful in abiding the concept introduced by the Commander of the Army to create nature loving personnel. “The Green Oath” (Haritha Prathikgnawa) was given by the recruits at the POP and plants were distributed among each recruit followed by the POP.
Later on, the day's Chief Guest awarded laurels and certificates to the best of the best in the Recruit Course No. 79. In a gesture of excellence, Private Bandara P G C P succeeded in becoming the Best Recruit having achieved the highest aggregate marks for all theoretical and practical disciplines during the training. Private Nimsara M N received the award of fittest Recruit; the Best Shot was clinched by Private Sankalpa K D and received appreciation and trophies for proficiencies from the Chief Guest accompanied by the Commandant VFTS.
The Chief Guest Major General Ranjan Lamahewage, made a brief address on the occasion and reminded the importance of maintaining discipline at all levels. Moreover, he pointed out the dignity and pride, associated with the Volunteer Force, as future soldiers.
Towards the end, he was invited to appear for a group photograph with all passing out recruits and to join refreshments with other invited Officers and Officers in the school.
Maj Gen AKGKU Gnanarathne ndu psc – Commandant SLMA, Brig TMGGS Thennakoon RWP - Brig AQ of Security Force Headquarters (Central), Brig WTWG Ihalage RWP RSP psc - Commandant Marksmanship and Sniper Training School, Brig PAM Peiris RSP USP psc - Deputy Commandant Sri Lanka Military Academy, Brig DAK Dissanayeke WWV RWP RSP - Commander 111 Brigade, Brig S N Samarawickrama – Inspector of Training HQSLAVF represented the Commandant of SLAVF, representatives from respective Regimental Centres, Senior Officers and invitees were present to witness the POP.
