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First-ever President’s Truncheon and Regimental Truncheon awarded to Sinha Regiment
President Maithripala Sirisena speaking at the event. On the left is Lt. Gen. Chrisanthe de Silva. Standing on the right is Major General Boniface Perera, Volunteer Force Commander and Colonel Commandant of the Sinha Regiment.
The Government gratefully remembers the sacrifices rendered by the security forces during the war and would accord them the highest honour possible, President Maithripala Sirisena said.
President Sirisena made these remarks at a ceremony last Monday (30) at the Sinha Regimental Headquarters in Ambepussa to award the first-ever President’s Truncheon and the Regimental Truncheon to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR).
Speaking further, the President commended the services rendered by the Sri Lanka Army and the Sinha Regiment during the past several decades regarding national security.
He pointed out that the Sinha Regiment had been formed 60 years ago during the period of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and that since then, it had fulfilled its duties and responsibilities to the motherland and its people in an exemplary manner.
“About 3400 SLSR personnel sacrificed their lives during the war, while thousands lost their limbs and became disabled,” the President noted.
President Sirisena added that he considered the occasion of awarding the President’s Truncheon and the Regimental Truncheon to SLSR as conferring honour on the regiment for the supreme sacrifices made by its war heroes.
“On this occasion, as your Commander-in-Chief, President and chief public servant, I offer you my gratitude on behalf of the Government, the motherland and its people for your services.”
Furthermore, the President stressed that the sacrifices made by war heroes were etched in the hearts of the people and that their names would be written in gold throughout history.
President Sirisena expressed confidence that the regiment would move forward with strength and determination to successfully meet future challenges. In fulfilling their duties regarding national security, unlike in the past, security forces would have to to be in the know how of the latest technology, he remarked.
“As such, I pledge that the Government would fulfill its obligations towards strengthening the tri-forces and providing the resources you require to ensure national and regional security.”
The President attended the function as Chief Guest on the invitation of Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva and Major General Boniface Perera, Volunteer Force Commander, Colonel Commander of the Regiment, SLSR.
A drive-past Guard Turnout saluted the Chief Guest soon after his entry to the Regimental Headquarters premises in accordance with military formalities.
The two Truncheons
Having received the President’s official proclamation and reasons attributable for awarding the Truncheon to Major General Perera, in response publicly pledged his allegiance to the Truncheon and its associated respect, formalities and recognition at all times.
After the conclusion of his speech, the President formally inaugurated a state-of-the-art eco-friendly library, built by SLSR soldiers in the premises. The library won the silver medal in the recent 4th Holcim International Eco-Friendly Building Competition that was held in Switzerland.
The construction of the library was conceptualised by Major General Perera while the architectural design was by Milinda Pathiraja of Robust Architecture Workers’ Company. A total of 6000 entries, representing 155 countries competed in the Swiss competition, in which Colombia and Sri Lanka bagged Gold and Silver Medals respectively.
President Sirisena also presented gifts to Chinadeniya Maha Vidyalaya students who passed the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.
Minister of Regional Development, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi and Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva were among the many distinguished invitees who witnessed the occasion.
| A first in the history of the Army The award of the President’s Truncheon and the Regimental Truncheon to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) was the first in the history of the Sri Lanka Army. This novel and the history-making presentation of the President’s Truncheon, equivalent to that of an honorary ‘Colour’ and a unique emblem upon which soldiers swear allegiance to the Regiment and the State, further recognises and would serve as a fitting tribute to SLSR soldiers’ unparalleled achievements, exemplary valour, gallantry, dedication and commitment to the cause, and more distinctively, its War Heroes’ unmatched supreme sacrifices in the battlefields. |