12th October 2023 18:14:46 Hours
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment ceremonially welcomed its 22nd Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc on 11 October 2023 in a brief ceremony held at the Regimental Centre Boyagane, Kurunegala in the presence of Regimental Council Members, a few retired and on service batch mates, Senior Officers, Commanding Officers, several other officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors, all Other Ranks and civil servants.
Upon arrival, newly appointed Colonel of the Regiment was warmly welcomed by the Regimental Centre Commandant at the main entrance and was awarded a guard turnout. By giving due respect to fallen war heroes who made a supreme sacrifice to safeguard the motherland from terrorists during three decades of war, Major General Rohitha Aluvihare laid a flower wreath at the fallen war hero’s monument and PWV recipients` monument before he was accorded a ceremonial parade at the parade square.
Giving prominence to the Buddhist traditions, Major General Aluvihare took over the duties having signed an official document to signify the acceptance of new responsibilities amidst chanting of pirith. Leaving an indelible gesture at the premises, Major General Aluvihare planted a tree sapling at the regimental centre, and later posed for group photographs followed by new Colonel of the Regiment’s troop address at “The Salute” Multifunctional Hall. The day`s event culminated with an All-Rank Tea arranged at the Men`s Club of the Regimental Centre.
Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc joined the Sri Lanka Army on 26 July 1988 and attended basic military training at Sri Lanka Military Academy and Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 05 October 1989 and was posted to the 5th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. Since then he has held a variety of specific command, staff and instructor appointments and presently holds the appointment as the Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc has participated in many major military operations including the Humanitarian Operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army against LTTE terrorists and is awarded with Sri Lanka Army gallantry awards Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Ranasura Padakkama for the valour and conspicuous bravery of a military nature in the battlefield.
