04th July 2018 19:36:08 Hours
The Sri Lanka Army's one of the most admired Regiments, Sinha Regiment (SR), having produced a fine assortment of sports personalities at Army and national levels, took pride in appreciating the services of serving sportsmen and differently-able para-sportsmen during Tuesday (03) evening's 'Colours Night' after hailing and recognizing SR sportsmen during a glittering ceremony at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Mrs Chandrika Senanayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, graced the momentous event, coloured with military traditions and entertainment.
The Chief Guest on arrival at the auditorium entrance was welcomed by Major General Piyal Wickramaratne, Colonel of the Regiment, SLSR and Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) before he was conducted to the main hall in the company of SLSR Senior Officers.
The two-minute silence, took place during the ceremony in order to memorize fallen war heroes of the regiment, where regimental monument background displayed on screen, next for Major General Piyal Wickramaratne to deliver his welcome speech.
Several cultural, musical and historic themes, meticulously choreographed by famed artists, like Pradeepa Ariyawansa and a display of 'Angampora' fighting techniques of Sri Lanka Air Force held the audience spellbound as the day's agenda unfolded one by one to award Regimental Colours to 112 SLSR Officers and Other Ranks (both serving and retired) for their excellence in various fields of sports at different levels, i.e. Army, Defence Services, National and International spheres.
As the stage was set to do honours, Major General Sanath Karunarathne (Rtd), Major General Dushyantha Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu, Major General Kumudu Perera, Commander, Security Forces - Wanni, Major General Piyal Wickramaratne, Colonel of the Regiment SLSR and Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army were respectively invited one by one to the stage for presentation of Colours to the recipients who excelled at Army, Defence Services, National and International levels.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake in his brief speech to the occasion congratulated all 112 SR sportsmen, crowned with Army Colours before the ceremony came to an end.
Brigadier Rajiva Wickramasinghe of the SLSR who is also one of the Chief organizers of the event raised the vote of thanks before the Brass Band showed their skills renting the air with patriotic melodies, and finally the national anthem.
