In Pictures: Three hundred and fifteen Special Forces troops graduate from SFTS - Maduruoya

The passing out ceremony of the 49the intake of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces took place recently (June 22nd) from the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Maduruoya. 

By Asiri Fernando

The passing out ceremony of the 49the intake of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces took place recently (June 22nd) from the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Maduruoya. 

According to a statement by the Army four Officers and 315 Other Ranks belonging to the 49th Intake graduated entering the ranks of Sri Lanka's military elite, having earning the much coveted black beret. 

The graduates underwent nine month-long rigorous training, a uniquely designed module that is designed to pick the toughest and best candidates to become Special Forces troops.

The course is considered one of the toughest out of all Army training modules and is generally tasked upon graduation to carry out covert small operations, penetrating deep into enemy strongholds and survive in jungles for days.
 
Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff as the Chief Guest for the graduation ceremony  at the invitation of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Colonel of the Regiment, SF and Commander of the Army.

Second Lieutenant M.A.D Woodward succeeded in becoming the Best Student and Lance Corporal W.A.S Shirantha selected as the Best Gymnast while Lance Corporal E.V.D Somasiri was selected as the Best Shooter to receive appreciation and trophies for tests of mettle and proficiency from the Chief Guest.