Wins the centenary Hermann Loos Challenge Trophy
On the 19th of October 2017, National Cadet Corps conducted the Hermann Loos/ De Soysa Trophy Camp which is a major annual event, at the National Cadet Corps Training Centre, Rantembe, celebrating the centenary Hermann Loos Challenge.
De Mazenod College Cadet Platoon of Kandana secured the Hermann Loos Challenge Trophy at the Assessment Camp this year, with Nalanda College coming up in the first runner-up position. The second runner-up was won by the Ibbagamuwa Central College platoon, Kurunegala.
The Volunteer Corps was established in 1881 by Mr. John B Cull, Principal of Royal College, which sought out to promote discipline by way of the drill. The persistent effort of Mr. W.J.S. Brooke, then Police Magistrate of Colombo raised the Ceylon Volunteers. With the introduction of a Cadet Battalion in 1902, a fruitful expansion occurred, resulting in the National Cadet Corps.
In 1917, Mr. Hermann Loos, a senior District Judge of Ceylon presented the Challenge Cup to then Ceylon Cadet Battalion, and each year, this trophy has been awarded to the best all round platoon after a well contested competition. The platoon of Kingswood College, Kandy won this award for the first time in 1917 and ever since, it has been considered a great honour to the battalion and the school to win this coveted cup.
54 Cadet Platoons competed for the coveted trophy this year, with 1500 cadets coming in from about 2000 schools, selected at Police Boys Assessment Camps conducted throughout the year, and from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
15 officers and 60 cadet delegates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives also witnessed the parade.
Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene MP, State Minister of Defence was the Chief Guest at this occasion and was welcomed by Retired Major General AKP Wickramasinghe, Director of National Cadet Corps. The Minister awarded trophies to the winning platoons of the competition.
The Best Cadet was awarded to Sergeant Cristal Mendis while Second Lieutenant Asela Perera was award e d the Best Commander (Squad Drill). Both cadets were from De Mazenod College, Kandana.
Mr. Kapila Vaidyaratne PC, the Secretary Ministry of Defence, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army also participated as Guests of Honour. Many senior officers from Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and Police participated as invited Guests.
De Mazenod College Cadet Platoon first took part in the National Cadet Training at Rantambe in 1991 and in 1997 they were able to secure the First Place at the Battalion Camp competition with a nomination for the prestigious Herman Loos Challenge Trophy. In 2014 they became runners up and in 2015 they won the fourth place. But it was in 2017 that De Mazenod made history at the Hermann Loos Assessment Camp, winning first place in the trophy’s centenary year.
The Best Female Cadet platoon was awarded the De Soysa award, which was won by Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala. Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo was the runner up, and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo came in third place.
Following the awards ceremony was the Military Tattoo and Pageant, which showcased the discipline of the Armed Forces units through the display of air shows, rescue missions, sky diving, dog shows, building bridges, and many more, including a fireworks show. Ayeshni Wickramasinghe