Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary to Defence graced as the Chief Guest at the premises at the invitation of the Commander of the Army.
On arrival at the venue, the Chief Guest was received by Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army in the company of Brigadier Ralph Nugera, Colonel of the Regiment, Commando Regiment (CR) and conducted to inspect the Guard Turnout at the entrance to the premises. A Guard of Honour accorded greeted the Chief Guest Lieutenant General Chrishanthe De Silva who along with the Parade Commander inspected it.
As the parade stood on attention, parents and next of kin of passed out officers and soldiers afterwards pinned Commando badges on each and every officer and soldier who successfully completed the course.
Later on, the Chief Guest, Commander of the Army and Colonel of Regiment, CR and several senior officers awarded Maroon Berets to officers and soldiers who passed out as symbols of their identity.
Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi during the ceremony awarded special prizes for students who have performed exceptionally well throughout the Commando course.
The award for the Best Student of the Course went to Lieutenant S.H.G. Fernando while the Best Shooter award was awarded to Private H.R.A. Madushanka. The award for the Best Student in Physical Training went to Lieutenant S.M.A.G. Senevirathna.
At the end of the ceremony, a special live display of Commando soldiers, depicting their combat skills got underway adding thrill to the occasion. The live show focused on its untiring strength, military skills and fighting capabilities of unprecedented nature.
In what appeared to be a country record, a renowned Army Commando parachutist, Major N.N.P.S Siranjeewa of 1 Commando Regiment, made history on the occasion by jumping off from a height 4000 ft together with his pet, the War Dog, Teesha and landed safely amid thundering applause.
In addition, the entertaining segment of the ceremony included parachute landing, Taekwondo, War Dog show and Sniper Display and several other items. Officers and soldiers including Colonel K.A. Samarasiri, Commandant, CTS, Major A.A.N Adikari, Chief Instructor, CTS and about 8,000 relatives and friends of Commando graduates witnessed the day’s spectacular event.
Senior officers Major General A.K.S Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters- Central (SFHQ-C) and Major General G.R.H Dias, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 12 Division were also present, the Army Media said.
