22nd March 2021 20:30:49 Hours
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, one of the most prestigious and battle-hardened fighting units of the Sri Lanka Army, following its’ traditions and military formalities with the blessings of the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Sisira Pilapitiya, commemorated its 31st anniversary on 22 March 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 S P K A Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP, Colonel of the Regiment of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment graced the pinnacle of day’s commemorative military events as the Chief Guest in the company of Senior Officers.
Upon Colonel of the Regiment’s arrival at the VIR Regimental Centre, the Centre Commandant of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment warmly received the day's protagonist and a subsequent Guard Turnout at the entrance greeted him in accordance with military formalities. The next moment on the itinerary was solemn and dignified since memories would never die, as they say, giving pride of place to the memory of all fallen Vijayabahu War Heroes, Colonel of the Regiment, laid the floral wreaths at the War Heroes Monument and PWV Monument paid his tribute in a solemn ceremony.
The stage was set for the day’s highlight, next as the Parade Commander in his colourful attire reported the parade to the Colonel of the Regiment in accordance with military traditions. The ceremonial Guard of Honour with Regimental colours, accorded to the Colonel of the Regiment, as all eyes remained glued to the spectacle.
Leaving an indelible gesture in the premises, Colonel of the Regiment was later on invited to plant a tree sapling in the regimental premises and then posed for a group photograph with the Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. The much-awaited moment of significance on the day’s itinerary followed next as the Colonel of the Regiment rose to his feet with his customary address to the troops at the special arena erected at the Regimental Playground which he paid a special tribute to Former Colonels of the Regiment and Ex-Archers members for their dedicated service that made the VIR one of the most elegant regiments in Sri Lanka Army in present. This event reached at its climax with presentation of a symbolic memento by the Centre Commandant and All Ranks of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment to Colonel of the Regiment, Major General S P K A Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP to engrave this remarkable event.
The Monday’s commemorative ceremony reached its final showdown with an All Ranks Lunch arranged at the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall. VIR Senior officers, Commanding officers and battalion representatives, Regimental Staff and Other Ranks together with the Colonel of the Regiment shared a sumptuous lunch treat.
Major General S U M N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, General Officer Commanding, 53 Infantry Division, 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, Senior Officers, Regimental Staff officers and Other Ranks witnessed these series of indelible events.
