OUTGOING CENTRE COMMANDANT WAS GIVEN A WARM FAREWELL

Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, blended with its’ traditions and military formalities bade farewell to outgoing Centre Commandant, Brigadier K A W N H Bandaranayake USP on 23.04.2021 (Thursday) in a fitting ceremony, held at the VIR Regimental Centre at Boyagane, Kurunegala, giving pride of place to military customs by adhering all the health precautions and guidelines stipulated to prevent COVID-19 outbreak.

The proceedings began as the day's protagonist, Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake’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 Nalin Bandaranayake, laid the floral wreaths at the War Heroes Monument and PWV Monument paid his tribute in a solemn ceremony.

Adding patriotic sentiments to the occasion, the day’s Guests of Honour was then ushered to the saluting dais of the parade ground to receive military honors. Leaving an indelible gesture in the premises, Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake was later on invited to pose for a group photograph with the Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers followed by an All Ranks Tea Party arranged at the “Salute” multifunctional hall where he shared a few thoughts with the attendees.

As the day’s final showcase, outgoing Centre Commandant was invited for the Troops Address which was arranged at the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall. Addressing the troops, Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake paid his oral tribute to all Senior Officers and the Regimental Staff for the excellent arrangements made on his behalf and thanked to all ranks and every individual including the retired members and civil servants for the indelible support extended during his tenure.

The day’s proceedings reached the culmination with the departure of Brigadier Nalin Bandaranayake from the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment premises amid greetings of ‘Jaya Sri’ as all ranks lined up to bid him goodbye.

VIR Senior officers, Commanding Officers and battalion representatives, Regimental Staff and Other Ranks attended for these series of indelible events.