29th December 2020 10:26:03 Hours
The Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) troops this morning (27) extended a warm welcome to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army when he arrived at the SLNG Regimental HQ in Wehera, Kurunegala, along with Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit in order to inaugurate a few new constructions and welfare projects.
At the start of the agenda, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as the Chief Guest for the occasion was invited to unveil a plaque and open the new archway at the parade ground, built by SLNG soldiers after he was received by Major General Jayashantha Gamage, Colonel of the Regiment, SLNG and Military Secretary soon after a drive-past greeted the day’s Chief Guest at the main entrance on his arrival.
Next on the agenda invited him to declare open the newly-erected complex of stores, that too built by SLNG troops using Regimental funds. After unveiling a plaque to that effect, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva warmed the new building and vested it in the SLNG troops amid religious blessings.
A few minutes later, the day's Chief Guest, together with Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit left for the SLNG's HQ Battalion at Heraliyawala, close to the Regimental HQ where a donation of school accessories to children of SLNG families was made. Sponsored by the SLNG Seva Vanitha Unit, a total of 105 pre-school kids/students of SLNG families received those school incentives to the value of Rs 1 million at the occasion, although all recipients were not physically invited to receive those packs due to COVID-19 epidemic.
After Mrs Manoji Fernando, Chairperson, SLNG Seva Vanitha Unit, together with the Colonel of the Regiment, SLNG welcomed the day’s Chief Guest and Mrs Nelson, the day’s proceedings got to a start with the welcome note, delivered by Brigadier K.M Thilakarathna, Centre Commandant SLNG.
Award of those gift parcels took place with a representative group, selected from all recipients present on the occasion due to health concerns. The day's Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, Major General Jayashantha Gamage and Mrs Manoji Fernando, Chairperson, SLNG Seva Vanitha Unit joined in succession to give away those gift packets symbolically during the arrangement as incentives for the new academic year. Among them were 38 students whose fathers have made the supreme sacrifice during the war for peace before May 2009 and 05 children of civil employees working in the Army.
A few entertaining features coloured the occasion and the Chief Guest in his brief address urged the young ones to learn well and serve the country in future as well-disciplined citizens of the country.
During his speech, the Commander of the Army appreciated and spoke high of their contribution during humanitarian operations and recalled times when he was commanding the 58 Division with SLNG troops under command. He also paid tribute to the memory of 37 officers and 1221 other ranks of the SLNG who made the supreme sacrifice. Appreciative of the services of the present Colonel of the Regiment Major General Jayashantha Gamage, he commended the newly-erected constructions and commended SLNG achievements
in Inter Regiment Drill competitions, Inter regiment Judo championships during last 18 years, Karate championship during last 10 years and achievements in Para Olympic games and firing meets.
