15th May 2022 15:28:03 Hours
A farewell ceremony for Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was held at the Regimental Centre, Ambepussa on 14 May 2022 on the eve of his retirement after completing 35 years of service in the Sri Lanka Army.
According to military traditions, Lieutenant Colonel Aruna Kulasinghe, General Staff Officer I, Regimental Centre SLSR, welcomed the Chief Guest and invited him to review the Guard Turnout at the main entrance. Afterwards, he was accompanied by Colonel Dulitha Perera, Deputy Centre Commandant RC SLSR to receive the salute of the Guard of Honour. After a while, he was invited to commemorate the fallen War Heroes at the SLSR war heroes’ monument.
Later in the day, he was joined all ranks for refreshments at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess where he shared a few thoughts with the attendees.
Afterwards, the High Standards New Sinha Cricket Ground was put up at the Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment at Ambepussa was opened by the today’s Chie Guest.
For the first time in the history of SLSR, the new Sinha cricket ground with five turfs can be made available to civil cricketers and outside clubs enabling them to organize first-class matches and other national level tournaments meeting their desires. In essence, this new ground is suitable for domestic matches and also for national-level tournaments.
With the coordination of the Chairman, National Cricket Board, 80 x 80 feet Turf Cover, Turf cutter and two boundary ropes were received as a donation.
Later, the Chief Guest of the day’s event was accompanied to open the 'Corporals' Club, ' New Rest & Recreational Facility at RC SLSR.
Considering the welfare and recreational needs of lower ranks serving in the Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment in Ambepussa, the steps were taken by Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, Colonel of the Regiment SLSR, to put up a Corporals’ Club for all Non Commissioned Officers.
The new facility, the 'Corporals' Club' provides newspapers and reading materials, TVs, indoor games and other recreational tools, and was constructed within a short period of time by the troops of the Sinha Regiment on the instructions of the Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, vested in them after unveiling a plaque and cutting a ribbon.
During the ceremony, all Officers and Other Ranks of the Regiment Centre extended their heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing distinguished senior officer for his commitment and dedication to the Sinha Regiment and wished him a healthy, wealthy, peaceful and prosperous life.
To recognize his military leadership and unparalleled contribution to the Army, a special memento was presented to the outgoing Colonel of the Regiment, by the Major General Dharshana Wijesekara, General Officer Commanding 54 Infantry Division during the formal Lunch at dusk on behalf of the newly-appointed Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Priyantha Jayawardana, Commander Security Force – East.
