Army engineers bid farewell to CDS

Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) of Army on Monday bade farewell to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Crisanthe De Silva, who was formerly the Colonel Commandant of the SLE during a formal military ceremony at his own SLE Regimental Headquarters at the Army Cantonment, Panagoda on the eve of his retirement from active service.

The Army said General De Silva who has rendered an exemplary service to both the organization and the country was greeted to a Guard Turnout after he was welcomed by Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi on behalf of the SLE Colonel Commandant.

To mark the occasion, a floral wreath was laid by the visiting CDS at the SLE War Hero monument at SLE premises. A subsequent Guard of Honour, presented by SLE troops saluted General Crisanthe De Silva at the parade grounds.

The outgoing General was seen off by officers and other ranks of the SLE in a street lining farewell as ‘Jaya Sri’ greetings rent the air. A large gathering of senior officers, officers and other ranks took part in the event.

Meanwhile, General Crisanthe De Silva also paid a farewell call on the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene at the Ministry. A cordial discussion was held between the outgoing CDS and the State Minister during the meeting.

General Crisanthe De Silva assumed duties as the 21st Army Commander on 22nd February 2015 before assuming duties as the fifth Chief of Defence Staff.

He had joined the Sri Lanka Army as a Cadet Officer in 1980 and was commissioned to the 1st Field Engineer Regiment of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers as a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1981.