21st October 2021 00:00:00 Hours
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops the youngest and the one of the most elite infantry regiment in Sri Lanka Army added more strength to their Boyagane Regimental HQ on 21 October 2021 by fortifying it with a state-of-the art Parade Ground of high standards, thanks to the efforts of the VIR’s Colonel of the Regiment, Officers and All Ranks.
Giving due recognition and value to their efforts, none other than General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest, graced the commissioning of renovated Parade Ground at the invitation of Major General Sisira Pilapitiya, Colonel of the Regiment and Commander, Security Force (Mullaittivu).
At the entrance to the Vijayabhahu Infantry Regiment, the day’s Chief Guest was greeted to a formal Guard Turnout in accordance with military traditions as his motorcade reached the location to be welcomed and received by Major General Sisira Pilapitiya before he was ushered to the VIR War Heroes’ Monument in the company of the Colonel of the Regiment and the VIR Centre Commandant. General Shavendra Silva saluted the memory of those fallen War Heroes and moved to the special monument, erected for fallen Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) medal, recognized as the highest military decoration, awarded for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order. It is also awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy, performed on a voluntary basis in order to safeguard the lives of fellow comrades.
With the warming of the new parade ground, the day’s Chief Guest was invited to review the Parade, accorded to the Commander of the Army as a tribute to his presence at the occasion. After the salute was taken from the special dais, Past Colonel of the Regiments, all VIR Officers and Warrant Officers separately posed for group photographs after the day’s Chief Guest addressed the troops.
In his speech, Commander of the Army stated that value of having a full-fledged parade ground mean to inculcate discipline among soldiers. Further he stated that he has already disbursed necessary grants to develop infrastructure of VIR and his wish is to move forward with motto “Nothing is beyond the endurance for the one who excels”.
The Army Chief in his address recalled the history behind the raising of the VIR Regiment and its life-span in the past few years giving an invaluable contribution to the culmination of the war for peace as the youngest infantry wing.
Towards the end of the itinerary, General Shavendra Silva was also invited to plant a sapling in the premises as a token of memory of his visit. As the final showcase of the day, the Commander of the Army was invited to the Lunch arrange at the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall and it reached it’s apex as the day’s host awarded a special mementoes to the visiting Commander of the Army and added goodwill and memories. General Shavendra Silva before the departure left compliments in the visitors’ book.
The parade ground that signifies the glory of King Vijayabahu the Great, was constructed by inculcating the stone carvings which are unique to the regiment traditions and occupies and area of 130 meters in length and 78 meters in width. This parade ground was developed and constructed completely by the proud Vijayabahu warriors according to the directions of Colonel of the Regiment of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and Commander Security Force (Mullaitivu) Major General SPKA Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP.
