Commander Opens Colour House & PWV Memorial and launches official web site of VIR at VIR Headquarters .Boyagane.Kurunegala
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane, Kurunegala extended a warm welcome to the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General RMD Ratnayake WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc on Thursday (31) when he called at the Headquarters for the first time after assumption of office as the Commander.
Colonel of the Regiment, VIR Major General NAJC Dias WWV RWP RSP USP ndc who is also the Commander, Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu warmly received the visiting Commander and conducted him to the War Memorial after the Commander reviewed the Guard of Honour, accorded to him around the main entrance premises.
Laying of floral wreaths at the VIR war memorial set the stage ready afterwards for the day's Chief Guest to receive the Guard of Honour in line with military formalities.
The day's proceedings reached its apex as the Chief Guest was invited to open the new Regimental Colour House’ where all the Colours that have been so far awarded to the Regiment in recognition of its varying merits in terms of gallantry, sports achievements, Regimental awards, etc, are kept on display.
Lieutenant General RMD Ratnayake WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc, inquisitively queried about certain awards and recalled memories along with the Colonel of the Regiment and the VIR Centre Commandant before he was invited to unveil the new monument that have been erected in memory of two War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting and were posthumously awarded with the highest gallantry award, Parama Weera Vibushana (PWV). By unveiling the statues of Staff Sergeant N.G.S Bandara and Sergeant P.N Suranga by the Commander, the VIR Headquarters intends to immortalize their memory.
Afterwards, the Commander received a briefing on VIR achievements and its status from the Colonel of the Regiment, in the presence of other senior officers.
Minutes after that, the Commander rose to his feet and addressed the officers in which he underlined the importance of dedicated and disciplined service of Army personnel for the betterment of the Nation.
As one more important feature of the day's itinerary, the Commander was then invited to launch the VIR Regimental website where he was greeted by all ranks serving the Regimental Headquarters upon his entry to the Mess Hall of other ranks. Other ranks at the same occasion awarded a memento to the Commander as a token of appreciation and greeted him warmly.
Towards the end of the programme, Major General Jagath Dias, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR presented a cheque to the value of Rs 2.2 million to the Commander of the Army for use in the welfare roles of dependent War Heroes at wellness resorts.
A 15% percentage of the profits earned from the Vijayaba Motorcross, has been thus donated for this purpose with the concurrence of all ranks in the VIR Headquarters.
A guest night with dinner in the same evening, were to culminate the ceremonies.
