Maldivian President Chief guest at SLMA Commissioning parade

The Army's premier seat of learning, Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa was honoured and received one more feather in its cap on Tuesday (27) when it had the most rare and distinguished honour of welcoming the first-ever foreign President to the year-end Commissioning Parade (Passing out Parade) as the Chief Guest.

A total of 189 Cadet Officers, including one Maldivian in SLMA Intakes No 72, 72B, SC 18C, Lady Intake (10) and Intake Vol 50 graduated in the colourful ceremony.

HE the President Mohamed Nasheed of the Republic of Maldives, at the invitation of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, together with a 13-member delegation, including Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Passing out Parade (PoP) as the first overseas President to have reviewed an SLMA parade.

Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development was also associated with the day's proceedings.

President Nasheed, the first-elected Maldivian President who spent years in exile in Colombo as Leader of the Maldivian Opposition before he was voted to Presidency, has been a longstanding friend of the country.

His 13-member entourage is comprised of Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interim Chairperson, Maldivian Democratic Party (MP), Parliamentary Group Leader (MP), Maldivian Democratic Party, a few Parliamentarians of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Executive Service Secretary, President's Office, Under Secretary, President's Office and a few high-ranking officials, and is expected to stay in Sri Lanka for three days at the request of the Commander of the Army.

The day's military ceremony commenced after the visiting Maldivian President drove past the Guard Turnout at the SLMA main entrance in keeping with ceremonials before he was warmly received by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and the SLMA Commandant, Brigadier Priyantha Jayasundara.

The next moment was solemn as the Chief Guest walked to the SLMA cenotaph and paid floral tributes to the eternal memory of fallen War Heroes as the first segment of the day's itinerary.

The Commander of the Army and the SLMA Commandant afterwards ushered the visiting Head of State to receive the President's Salute as national anthems of both countries rent the air, bringing the gathering to attention.

As is the practice, the Chief Guest after receiving the President's Salute from the saluting dais was requested to review the parade of the new Cadet Officers in keeping with military traditions. He was joined by the Commander of the Army and the SLMA Commandant during the parade review. After the Parade Commander sought the permission to continue the rest of the proceedings, the next phase of the ceremony began with the presentation of different laurels.

The Chief Guest in the company of the Commander of the Army afterwards awarded the Champion Flag to the Best Champion Company and symbolic Swords to the newly commissioned Cadet Officers in the first row of the parade.

Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya followed suit and presented the same to the graduates in the 2nd and 3rd rows respectively.

With the commencement of the slow march and quick march, the parade marched past the saluting dais, and saluted the Chief Guest as the major section of the day's ceremony was gathering momentum.

One more climax of the day's event reached as the ceremonial award of trophies and swords of honour to respective newly commissioned officers got underway after the President Nasheed alighted from the saluting dais.

Prestigious Swords of Honour were received from the Chief Guest by Cadet Officer N.R.Y Cabraal (Intake 72), Cadet Officer J.S.I.S Jayamaha (Intake 72 B) and Cadet Officer R.P.M Lanka (Volunteer 50) and the presentation of trophies followed afterwards.

With the culmination of a brief formal speech delivered by the Chief Guest to the new graduates, the parade once again greeted the Chief Guest with a President's Salute as preparations were lining up for culmination of the day's main section of the proceedings.

As one more item on the agenda, at the invitation of the SLMA Commandant, the visiting Head of State planted a sapling in the premises and added a symbolic memory to his visit to the venue.

The visiting President of Maldives afterwards sat together with new graduates for a group photo since it would remain an immortalized souvenir for the rest of their lives. The customary commissioning dinner with full regalia were to follow late in the same evening (27) at the Officer Cadets' Mess with the participation of the visiting President and his entourage.

A large distinguished gathering of invitees, parents, next of kin, military officers, state officials and well-wishers took part in the PoP ceremony.

Source: http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20111228_01

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