27th February 2018 00:01:13 Hours
Sri Lanka National Guard is now on a speedy drive of upliftment with the far-sighted leadership of its Colonel of the Regiment, Major General AP De Z Wickramaratne RWP ndu psc. Long felt need of a set of facilities was newly declared open marking a milestone in the Regiment’s victorious journey.
Some newly built complexes were declared open at Heraliyawala Watta Camp Complex on 12 August 2017 under the patronage of Commander of the Army, Lt Gen NUMMW Senanayake RWP RSP USP psc and President – Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Chandrika Senanayaka, in a colourful ceremony. This historic event was marked by the presence of Colonel of the Regiment, Maj Gen Piyal Wickrmarathne, President – Seva Vanitha Branch – SLNG, Mrs Ruvini Sujeewa Wickramaratne, former Colonels of the Regiment, Maj Gen Udaya Perera (retd), Maj Gen Ashoka Amunugama (retd), Brig Jerry Alwis (retd), Brig Lal Weerakoon (retd), Brig JB Galgamuwa (retd), former Centre Commandants Brig JV Siriwardane (retd), Brig N Bertram (retd) and Brig WHD Mahanada - Dy Commandant SLAVF, Brig KAPJ Rathnayaka Lsc - Director Engr Services, Brig HMUB Herath RSP USP AATO Lsc Director Ordinance Services, Brig WS Ariyasinghe - RSP Centre Comdt VIR, Brig K Prematilleke RWP RSP - PSO SLAVF, Brig PML Chandrasiri WWV RWP RSP Comdt MSTS, Centre Comdt Brig DHMDT Thammita, Col JATDM Jayasooriya Col QMG, Col SRB Aluwihare RWP RSP psc Col GS - Dte of Ops, Dy Centre Comdt Col JMRNK Jayamanna RWP,Council members Col SB Kohona Col Coord -SFHQ (J), Col IHS Wijesena Comd Offr HQ Bn - NCC, Col AJ Gunawardhane RSP Comdt - VFTS, All Snr Offrs Of SLNG including all SLNG commanding officers, members of the Army Seva Vanitha Branch and a large number of officers and other ranks.
Commander of the Army and President – Army Seva Vanitha Unit, were warmly received by Maj Gen Piyal Wickramaratne and Mrs. Ruvini Sujeewa Wickramarathne on their arrival. At the entrance, a guard turnout and a guard of honour was accorded in honours of visiting Commander of the Army in keeping with military traditions. The Regimental Centre received the ownership of a newly constructed parade ground coinciding with the arrival of Commander of the Army. An auditorium equipped with latest technology, a computer laboratory, and a modern library along with a facility complex was declared open by Commander of the Army amidst pirith chanting of Maha Sangha. Regimental Seva Vanitha Branch Office was declared open by the President Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Chandrika Senanayake with the invitation of Mrs Ruvini Sujeewa Wickramarathne. Former Colonel of the Regiment, Maj Gen Udaya Perera gifted a valuable set of books to the newly constructed library.
Ceremonial proceeding began with lighting of traditional oil lamp and SLNG Centre commandant, Brigadier DHMWB Thammita delivered the welcome speech. A set of splendid artistic performances made the day’s events more enchanting.
An iron wood sapling was planted by Commander of the Army to mark the visit, in Heraliyawalawatta camp complex. This was followed by the troop address by the Commander of the Army, during which he expressed his appreciation on victories achieved in many aspects by Guardians over the past as the largest Regiment in SLAVF and commendable leadership of the present Colonel of the Regiment. Colonel of the Regiment presented a special memento to Commander of the Army to mark the latter’s visit.
Concurrently, a haul of medical equipments was granted to Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Teaching Hospital – Kandy and Governtment Hospital – Chilaw. 34 wheelchairs worth of Rs.680,000.00 were gifted to Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha Unit with a financial donation of Rs 200,000 by the president of Seva Vanitha branch SLNG, Mrs Ruwani Sujeewa Wickramaratne and 17 special beds worth of Rs.4,250,000.00 were presented for the use of cancer patients treated at government hospitals in Kandy and Chilaw and Ragama, North Colombo Teaching Hospital coordinated the donation of hearing aids to the children of soldiers with hearing impairments. President of SLNG Seva Vanitha Branch, presented a special memento to President of Army Seva Vanitha Unit, to mark this memorable day.
Further, President – Army Seva vanitha unit, Mrs Chandrika Senanayake undertook a visit to ‘Ranaviru Paper Recycling project’ installed at 5th Reconnaissance Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in Pangolle, flanked by Seva Vanitha members.
A modern officers’ accommodation facility complex was declared open at the Regimental Centre – Weherawatta camp complex, fulfilling a long-felt need of Guardians’ family in its 26 year eventful history.Commander of the army faced a group photograph with all participated officers and made a note in the visitors’ book and Colonel of the Regiment presented a set of pictorial moments of the visit to Commander of the Amy, prior to conclusion of the day’s proceedings.
