10th October 2021 13:44:38 Hours
72nd Army Day lies on 10 October 2021 and as a practice formal ceremonies take place at each military establishment, with the guidelines of the Army Headquarters. Following the guidelines an iconic ceremony held with the patronage of Colonel of the Regiment VIR, Major General Sisira Pilapitiya at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Centre, Boyagane, Kurunegala by adhering all the preventive measures for COVID-19 pandemic.
Blossomed into a full-fledged Army during its life-span of past 72 years, the Sri Lanka Army to-date had been effectively commanded by 22 Commanders, elevating the organization to impressive heights. The Sri Lanka Army as the country’s most-sought service provider and the defender of the nation, in addition to its prioritized and rejuvenated security roles for defence of the motherland, is currently engaged in a multitude of nation-building tasks, community-oriented welfare projects, search and rescue efforts during natural disasters and catastrophes, national emergencies, infrastructure development assignments.
In absence of the Centre Commandant due to his commitment at Army Day functions at Anuradhapura, Deputy Centre Commandant commenced with the day’s programme. The day’s itinerary got to a start with hoisting of the Army Flag by the Deputy Centre Commandant VIR and the Army Song jointly sung by everyone present at the venue, rent the air, adding grandeur and patriotic sentiments to the occasion. The two-minute silence that followed afterwards in solemn moment of gratitude venerated in memory of fallen War Heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland. The podium was then set for recitation of the Army Commander’s Message that heralds a prospects for all in the Army.
Then giving pride of place to the memory of all fallen Vijayabahu War Heroes, Officers and Other Ranks paid the floral tribute at the War Heroes Monument and extended their accolade to the Fallen Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in a solemn ceremony.
The venue was set for the day’s next highlight, as the planting of 100 “Kumbuk” saplings by the Officers and Other Ranks at the banks along the lakes in between the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall and the Regimental Playground.
The Deputy Centre Commandant, Staff Officers, Other Ranks and Civilian Staff serving in Regimental Centre attended for these chain of commemorative events.
