\r\nSri Lanka Sinha Regiment\'s official Regimental mascot, Lion \'Cougar\' residing at the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) Regimental Headquarters, Ambepussa, had a peaceful death on Wednesday (11) at about 2.00 p.m. at the age of 18 ½ years after a brief illness.\r\n\r\n\r\n\'Cougar\', born on June 1, 1996 was gifted to the SLSR on August 3, 1996 by former President Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga, following a request made by the SLSR for adoption of a Lion cub as its mascot. Colonel of the Regiment, SLSR at that period, Major General J. Nammuni (Retd) brought this much-loved pet to the SLSR Regimental Headquarters from the National Zoological Gardens at Dehiwala in its infancy.\r\n\r\nIt was 5 ft in length and 2 ½ ft in height at the time of its sad demise, having lived a life of more than 14 - 16 years, generally a fully-grown one could survive. Lion \'Cougar\' traces its genesis to South Africa and the presence of this elegant quadruped in the Regimental Headquarters premises, added a sense of symbolic magnificence and majesty to the Headquarters since it was the insignia borne by SLSR Army personnel in their uniforms.\r\n\r\nDr D.S Kodikara, a well-known veterinary surgeon has been providing routine medical attention to this majestic animal in the past 15 years after it was brought to Ambepussa from the Zoo.\r\n\r\nLooked after well by three SLSR Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) during its life span, \'Cougar\' who remained militarized, became the beloved pet of all Army personnel as well as visitors to the place, including many Commanders, leading citizens and distinguished personalities.\r\n\r\nDuring its infancy, the Lion cub \'Cougar\' received its training under authorities of the Dehiwala Zoo and was kept in the Zoo itself for upbringing for some time until veterinary surgeons and zoologists recommended its release to the SLSR.\r\n\r\nCorporal J.A Janaka of 24 SLSR and Lance Corporal R.G.P.P Rathnakge of 1 SLSR were the caretakers of the mascot in the final stages of its life-span after one more senior caretaker of the animal passed away a few years ago.\r\n\r\nThe SLSR\'s practice of adopting a Lion cub as its mascot began in the year 1977 during the office of Lieutenant Colonel D.W Hapuarachchi at the SLSR Headquarters, together with the initiatives of Major J. Nammuni at that time.\r\n\r\nThe SLSR\'s first mascot took part in the Army Search Light Tattoo, held in Colombo between January 18 - 22, 1978 and also in the Independence Day parade on 4 Feb 1978.\r\n\r\nSLSR history also speaks of rearing a goat of the Sanan variety as its first mascot during the formative years of the then Ceylon Sinha Regiment, the second oldest Infantry Regiment of the Army and the first rifle Regiment in the Army which was raised on 1 October 1956.\r\n\r\nCougar\'s funeral rites, led by members of the Maha Sangha, took place Wednesday (11) evening at the premises in the presence of a gathering of officers, caretakers and other rankers, headed by Brigadier B.A.L Ratnayake, SLSR Centre Commandant. \r\n\r\nA brief eulogy, plus an oration delivered by a monk transferred merits on the mascot and recalled its memories during the funeral proceedings. \'Pen Wedima\' ritual was joined by the Centre Commandant and a representative gathering who were responsible for the upkeep of the animal until its natural death.
