FELICITATION ACCORDED TO COMMANDER OF THE ARMY

The Sri Lanka Military Academy felicitated the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake at a special ceremony hosted by the Commandant Brigadier Priyantha Senaratne and staff of the institute on 16th October 2018 on account of the 37th anniversary of Intake 16. The event was also attended by Madam Senanayake, a few retired officers of intake 16 with their wives, Principal Staff Officers, Directors, Commander SFHQ (Cen) and course officer, English and History instructors and course sergeant of the intake, SLMA staff and officer cadets.

On 16th October 1981, a group of youths including the commander enlisted in the Army and underwent basic training at the Academy, where he became the cadet under officer and won the prestigious Sword of Honour awarded to the first in order of merit. The event was expected to inspire the present and future generation of officer cadets.

The first-ever “Coffee Table Book” which was authored and self-published by the Academy was also launched coinciding with the felicitation ceremony and the Commandant presented the Commander with the first copy of the book.

In his address, the Commander of the Army announced that his Intake would put up a two-storey building, consisting of six smart classrooms and equipped with modern accessories at SLMA premises in appreciation of its services to the military community.

The felicitation ceremony ended with a gala banquet held at the Cadets’ Mess with the participation of the Commander, Mrs Senanayake, PSO’s, Directors and all invitees.

It was the first-ever such felicitation accorded to a serving commander and as such the series of events were appreciated by all participants as a gesture of gratitude.

The Commandant in his welcome address stated that felicitation means paying gratitude which stands out in all major religions practiced in our country from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam to Hinduism.