ARMY COMMEMORATES ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Acolourful parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka Army was held yesterday at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. The Army commemorated the milestone with a series of military formalities. The SLA was founded on October 10th, 1949 as the Ceylon Army after forming its first regular force under the command of Brigadier R. Sinclair. With the establishment of its own Military Academy in Diyatalawa, Brigadier Anton Muthukumaru assumed office as the first Sri Lankan Commander of the then Ceylon Army.
Blossomed into a full-fledged Army during its life-span of past 70 years, the Sri Lanka Army has been effectively commanded by 23 Commanders to-date, elevating the organisation to impressive heights. Its expansion with 24 Regiments has won the hearts and minds of all ethnicities across the country as the most prominent security provider to all at the expense of their own lives.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said in 70th anniversary massage that Sri Lanka Army performing an unmatched service towards the Motherland’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
“It is a well-known fact that as at present all Sri Lankans are living in a very peaceful atmosphere with bonds of brotherhood and reconciliation. The responsibility for protection of future security and the country’s territorial integrity lies with Army personnel both today and tomorrow”, the Commander said.
He said he also dedicated to uplift welfare benefits of all disabled War Heroes and family members of fallen War Heroes by further improving their living conditions. “I must state here that I will do my best in that direction by re-organising welfare measures, infrastructure facilities and introducing new projects in a more structured and qualitative manner. Similarly, potential Army retirees should be directed to lead a better productive life in civil society after their retirement in a more organised manner,” he said. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said all Officers and All Ranks should resolve to sustain that dignified essence of the Army as the ‘Defender of the Country and Her Citizens’ in the future too.