23rd January 2018 15:21:20 Hours
In recognition of the unblemished service rendered to the motherland, His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena awarded special Presidents Truncheon and Regimental Truncheon to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on 30 Monday, January 2017.
Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment being a proud bearer of a 60 year-long legacy has executed the national responsibility of protecting the motherland and its people. During the thirty year battle, 3, 862 Sinha heroes have shed their young lives for the integrity of the motherland. This ultimate sacrifice bears ample testimony to the exemplary nature and selflessness of the Sinha Regiment.
Regiments of the Sri Lanka Army are presented with colours as a symbol of acknowledging and recognizing the service rendered by them to the nation and its people. Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was never presented with colours in keeping with the age-old tradition of a rifle regiment - "a rifle regiment never carry colours". However, this presentation of Presidents Truncheon and Regimental Truncheon that can be carried in lieu of colours is undoubtedly an honour bestowed on the Sinha Regiment.
This historical event took place at the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment Parade Ground with 38 officers and 515 Other Rankers Parade Commander was Brig UAT Hennedige RSP and Parade 2IC was Colonel HDK Heiyanthuduwa RWP RSP.
After the Truncheon awarding HE the president declared opened the Eco - Friendly Community Based Library. This library, built with the labour assistance of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment Troops, using Eco - friendly techniques and modern architectural skill, has won the Silver Medal at the 4th International Eco - Friendly Constructions Tournament - 2015 and it was awarded at the library premises on 01 September 2015 which was organized by the Holcim Foundation in Switzerland. A total of 6000 contenders from 152 countries competed in this tournament with their new innovative projects Colombia won the first place and Sri Lanka secured the second place. United States of America won the third place. This achievement is one of the stepping stone of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment\'s goal to become a knowledge hub in 2020 and this has given international recognition for Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
During this opening ceremony HE the president presented Gifts to the students of Keenadeniya Maha Viddayala who passed grade 5 scholarship exam.
With His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena, Hon Minister Field Marshal GSC Fonseka RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc, Hon State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena, Secretary of Defence Engineer Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Chief of Defence Staff - Air Chief Marshal KA Gunathilake RWP & Bar RSP VSV USP ndc psc qfi, Commander of the Army - Lt Gen AWJC De Silva RWP VSV USP ndu psc, Retired Army Commanders, Head of Principal Staff Officers - AHQ, Principal Staff Officers - AHQ, Advisors, Colonel Commandants, Colonel of the Regiment, Directors, Centre Commandants, Other serving and retired Senior Officers and Other Rankers of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment attend the event.
