25th June 2023 09:18:20 Hours
The Vijayabahu Colours Night 2023, which is one of the much-anticipated and glamorous events, was held by hailing and recognizing the sports skills of the sportsmen of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 23 June 2023 at the Salute" Multifunctional Hall, Regimental Centre, The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Boyagane. The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu graced the occasion as the Chief Guest with the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and the Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), Major General S U M N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc.
The event was organized under the direction of Major General Nishantha Manage to review the sports talents and skills displayed by VIR sportsmen during the years from 2018 to 2022 at inter-regiments, defence services, national and international levels, with the objective of encouraging them to enhance their sporting talents and to elevate themselves to national and international levels.
Upon the arrival, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Major General Nishantha Manage together with several other senior officers of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and were ushered to their respective seats. Lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest and a few other senior officers and recital of the regimental song, followed by eye-catching entertaining cultural and dancing feats, coloured the evening in a vibrant manner.
Soon after, Major General Nishantha Manage delivered the welcome speech by warmly welcoming the Chief Guest of the Vijayabahu Colours Night 2023, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu and other renowned dignitaries in this glamorous evening.
During this colourful ceremony, 260 sportsmen including 16 officers were awarded colours for 44 sports events. The grand presentation of Colours reached its apex as the Chief Guest stepped onto the stage after he was invited to make the final presentation of Colours to the "Vijayabahu Trophy Holders," who have excelled exceptionally well in the field of sports crowning the motherland in glory at national and international levels. Awarding the colours and Vijayabahu trophies to the six most outstanding performers: Corporal Bandara S A I N - (8th South Asian Judo Championship, Bronze Medal-2018), Corporal Sandakelum W A R - (13th South Asian Boxing Championship - Nepal , Gold Medal - 81 Kg Weight Class), Corporal Weerasinghe I W P K - (13th South Asian Taekwondo Championship - Nepal, Gold Medal - 2019) , Lance Corporal Dissanayake D M D C - (National Championship Kayaking, Gold Medal -2020), Lance Corporal Senarathna S H L- ( Represented Sri Lanka in International World Muithai Championship -Thailand 2021) , Lance Corporal Prasanna P A R- Les Ceintures International Boxing Championship - Paris , Gold Medal -57 Kg Weight Class - 2022) of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, the Chief Guest addressed the distinguished gathering by spotlighting the unwavering triumphs and commitments made by all VIR colours recipients for their outstanding achievements. Moreover, the Commander of the Army, in his speech, did not forget to express his commendable thanks to all, including coaches, VIR officers, and supporting staff, who have assisted VIR Sportsmen by all means to make their long-awaited dream a reality.
Later on, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, was awarded a special memento marking his gracious presence as the Chief Guest for the Vijayabahu Colours Night 2023 by the Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and the Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), Major General S U M N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc. Simultaneously, setting an encouraging precedence, the Commander of the Army presented a cash gift worth Rs.1 million to Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment for further promoting the sporting skills of VIR Sportsmen in future and a wellcarved memento to the Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General Nishantha Manage, as an appreciation for the meticulous supervision and dedicative commitments rendered in order to host a magnificent colours night by recognizing the talents and skills of VIR Sportsmen in the year 2023. Major General S R B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, the Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army and council member of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment raised the vote of thanks at the end of the event and marked the culmination of Vijayabahu Colours Night 2023 with the playing of the national anthem.
Several Principal Staff officers and Advisors of the Army Headquarters, the Commander of the Headquarter Logistic Command, several Directors of the Army Headquarters, Regimental Council Members, Staff Officers, Commanding Officers, and a host of Senior VIR Officers, Officers and Other Rankers attended this glamorous occasion.
