SLMA Passing Out Parade:

Swords awarded to 157 Cadet officers

India’s Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh was the Chief Guest at the year-end Passing out Parade of the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Diyatalawa on Saturday.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and SLMA Commandant Brigadier Priyantha Jayasundara welcomed the Indian Army Chief who later laid a floral wreath at the War Memorial as a tribute to fallen War Heroes.

Around 157 Cadet Officers of the Intakes 74, 74B, 75 A, 52 (V) and two Lady Intakes received the commissioning swords from General Singh.

The Chief Guest, at the invitation of the SLMA Commandant, awarded the swords to the 157 Cadet Officers, symbolising commissioning of those officers before receiving the salute from them in a parade in the company of Lieutenant General Jayasuriya.

The Parade Commander was Major K A M P Karunaratne of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC).

Battalion Under Officer, Officer Cadet U L M Silva of the Intake 74 and Platoon Under officer, Officer Cadet W B C D Wijepala of the Intake 74B were honoured with award of the Sword of Honour for the Best Overall Performance.

The Indian Army Chief also planted a sapling at the SLMA premises.

General Singh also attended the Commissioning Dinner.

A large gathering of diplomats, senior officers, invitees, parents and well-wishers witnessed the day’s main highlights. General Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday on a five-day visit with a five-member delegation at the invitation of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jayasuriya.