SLMA gifted the Nation with 316 new Officers
December 19, 2021316 brave sons and daughters of the country received the President’s Commission during a dignified Passing Out Parade (POP) held today (Dec 19) at Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Diyatalawa with HE the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Gotabaya Rajapaksa gracing as the Chief Guest.
The Army media stated that the Sri Lanka Army's prestigious seat of learning, SLMA held its 96th POP today in conformity with military traditions and the day’s Chief Guest on arrival to the venue was warmly received by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva together with SLMA Commandant Brig. Nalinda Niyangoda.
Remembering the invaluable past sacrifices of fallen War Heroes, the Chief Guest laid a floral tribute to the SLMA War Memorial.
73 Officer Cadets in the Regular Intake 89, 13 Officer Cadets in the Regular Intake 90, 150 Officer Cadets in the Regular Intake 89 Bravo (Intake 32,33,35 of Kotelawala Defence University), 1 Lady Officer Cadet in Regular Lady Officer Cadets Intake 18 (A), 60 Officer Cadets in the Volunteer Officer Cadet Intake 61 (V), 15 Lady Officer Cadets in the Volunteer Lady Officer Cadet Intake 17 were thus commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants today.
Symbolizing the official commissioning, new Officers received their symbolic and ornamental swords as graduation and saluted to the Chief Guest in the colourful parade, the Army said.
Those new Officers will serve as dedicated sons for nation-building challenges and tasks as true protectors and defenders of the nation.
The First Lady, Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson, Ministry of Defence - Seva Vanitha Unit (MoD-SVU), Mrs Chithrani Gunaratne, Maj. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Sampath Kotuwegoda, Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Channa Weerasuriya, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, retired military veterans, Senior Officers, parents and well-wishers witnessed the event, the Army confirmed.
