09th February 2021 00:00:00 Hours
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, following its’ traditions and military formalities with the blessings of the Colonel of the Regiment Major General Sisira Pilapitiya and supervision of the Centre Commandant Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake, saluted the newly-promoted Senior Officers of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 09 February 2021 in a fitting ceremony, held at the VIR Regimental Centre at Boyagane, Kurunegala, giving pride of place to military formalities by adhering all the health precautions and guidelines stipulated to prevent COVID-19 outbreak .
Major General R A D P Ranawaka RWP RSP USP ndc, General Officer Commanding, 12 Infantry Division, Major General K A N N Koswatta RWP RSP ndu, General Officer Commanding, 23 Infantry Division, Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP, General Officer Commanding, 62 Infantry Division and Brigadier W S N Hemarathna RWP RSP psc, Commander 581 Brigade were felicitated during their first formal visits to the VIR Regimental Centre following their promotions.
Upon Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna’s arrival at the VIR Regimental Centre, Colonel Rukshan Kannangara, Deputy Centre Commandant of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment warmly received the day's first Guest of Honour and a subsequent Guard Turnout at the entrance greeted him in accordance with military formalities. Then giving pride of place to the memory of all fallen Vijayabahu War Heroes, Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna, laid the floral wreaths at the War Heroes Monument and PWV Monument paid his tribute in a solemn ceremony.
Then, three tributes were respectively offered to other protagonists of the day, Major General Prasanna Ranawaka, Major General Nalin Koswatta and Major General Deepal Pussella. In accordance with military formalities and guidelines of the Army Headquarters, a Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour, saluted them after they were warmly received by Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake, the Centre Commandant of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, when they were accorded the Guard Turnout.
Paying their deep respect to the memory of fallen Vijayabahu War Heroes, they were ushered to lay a floral wreaths at the VIR War Heroes Monument and PWV Heroes Monument. The solemn ceremony recalled past memories of fallen VIR War Heroes with dignity as the surroundings remained calm and quiet.
Adding patriotic sentiments to the occasion, the day’s Guests of Honour, at the request of the Parade Commander, afterwards, reviewed the Guard of Honour seconds before they formally received the General Salute.
Leaving an indelible gesture in the premises, these Senior Officers were later on invited to pose for a group photograph with the Regimental Staff followed by an All Ranks Tea Party arranged at the Other Ranks Mess and symbolic mementoes were presented by the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General S P K A Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP to engrave this remarkable event. On behalf of the all promoted Senior Officers, Maj General Prasanna Ranawaka has expressed gratitude to the Colonel of the Regiment, Centre Commandant, all Staff Officers, Regimental Sergeant Major and All Ranks of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment for arranging such a grateful felicitation for all of them in a short preparation. Further, he elaborated his service career, being the second batch of VIR officers who posted to VIR and today out of them three are with him to wear Two Star General rank. He said all VIR members to work hard for the betterment of the organization with dedication and commitment, then promotions are at the doorstep.
Later on, the Colonel of the Regiment addressed to all newly promoted officers and newly posted Young Officers to the Regiment at the Archers’ Cinema and gave his thoughts of up lifting and maintaining VIR dignity with pride. Colonel of the Regiment gave a thoughtful speech which will be a source of encouragement for Young Officers and newly promoted officers to think wisely for serving the Army and the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. Further, he stated that VIR is home away from home which all officers should work for its development, which will be an investment for the future. As the day’s final showcase, they were invited for the Officers’ Lunch which was arranged at the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall.
Senior Officers, Regimental Staff officers and Other Ranks witnessed these series of indelible events.
