SLAVF contribution to past challenges hailed during its athletic
meet 2010
 The curtain came down on Sri Lanka Army Volunteer
Force (SLAVF) Inter Regiment Athletic Meet 2010 Thursday (29) afternoon
where Commander of the Army, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest
gave away medals and trophies to the winners in the annual event.
Around 800 competitors representing 111 volunteer
battalions competed for medals in this three day long athletic meet that
got off the ground on Tuesday (27) at Colombo Sugathadasa Stadium.
Javelin throwing Champion and the member of Sri Lanka's 2008 Olympic
contingent to China, Nadeeka Lakmalee, Staff Sergeant, in Sri Lanka Army
Women's Corps and the South Asian medalist, Rohitha Pushpa Kumara,
Sergeant in Sri Lanka Artillery lit the Olympic lamp upholding the
traditional norms of the game on the inaugural day.
Before Thursday's final closing ceremony, most closely
contested 100 m (men and women) 400 m (men and women) final run, 1500 m
men's finals, 4 x 400 m (men and women) finals and two rounds of tug of
war (men and women) were held after the official ceremony began around
1.00 p.m. Thursday (29) afternoon.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the
Army on arrival at the venue was warmly welcomed by Major General
D.R.A.B Jayathilake, SLAVF Commandant, Major General A.C Obeysekara,
SLAVF Deputy Commandant and other senior officers. After a brief welcome
speech, finals of the above-mentioned events took place amidst loud
cheering and applause. Band display and march pasts added colour and
entertainment to the whole ceremony as the final events were reaching
their peak.
Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) athletes (men) carried
away the overall Championship in the 2010 SLAVF Athletic Meet after
showing their talents in all the events. The overall women's
Championship went to 2 Sri Lanka Women's Corps. Commander as the Chief
Guest on the occasion presented the two Championship trophies to both
SLLI and 2 Sri Lanka Women's Corps teams. Both trophies for Championship
in the runners-up (men and women) were presented to Sri Lanka Artillery
Regiment team and 4 Sri Lanka Women's Corps by Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya,
President Seva Vanitha Army Branch.
Lance Corporal M.P Dharmaratne of the Sri Lanka
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Regiment (SLEME) was adjudged the
Best athlete in the Meet. Staff Sergeant P.D.M.P Wickramasinghe of the 2
Sri Lanka Women's Corps was selected the Best woman athlete in the Meet.
Four more trophies for Best athletes went to Lance
Bombardier M.P.E Harishchandra Bandara, Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment,
Lance Corporal M.P Dharmaratne, (SLEME), Staff Sergeant P.D.M.P
Wickramasinghe, 2 Sri Lanka Women's Corps and Staff Sergeant B.L Nadeeka
Lakmali, 2 Sri Lanka Women's Corps.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army
addressed the gathering after the awards ceremony. Chief of Staff, Major
General R.M.D Ratnayake and a host of senior military officers graced
the occasion.
Here is the full text of the commander's address on
the occasion.
Let me first express my gratitude to the Commandant
Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and the organizing committee of the Inter
Regiment Athletic Meet for inviting me as the Chief Guest of the annual
Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Inter Regiment Athletic Meet.
This annual athletic meet will provide an opportunity
for all soldiers in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force with its proud
history spanning over 129 years to bring their talents to the fore while
promoting physical and mental strength as well as unity among all
serving in different Regiments. This is one of the objectives of this
athletic meet.
Sri Lanka Volunteer Force boasts of a mass of
sportsmen and women who have represented and performed extremely well at
Olympics, Asian Games as well as in all other different international
championship meets, I must admit. They are a blessing and a pride, not
only to the Volunteer Force and the entire Army, but also to the whole
of Sri Lanka.
You, as members of a great Army should be energetic to
perform your duties and responsibilities, thrust upon you while
maintaining high standards in technical and professional spheres. You
also can be proud since many talents, remained covered so far in you had
finally surfaced after you joining the Army. There is no doubt that your
parents and the family members too take pride in this achievement. The
Army after identifying your talents and skills during these types of
events, is committed to train you further under professional trainers
and promote such talents.
Members of the Volunteer Force even in the past have
performed their duties with much dedication and commitment to safeguard
the integrity of the country while contributing to maintain law and
order. The manner you stood against all the challenges to defeat
terrorists is highly commendable and appreciated.
This Championship tournament of high standards has
been held for three consecutive days and you all have displayed your
excellent sporting skills and inborn talents. I, as Commander of the
Army wish to appreciate your commitment towards this Athletic Meet,
despite the absence of a proper playground for your training sessions,
in some instances in the north and east. I express my deep gratitude to
the teams who have participated in this Athletic Meet amidst duties and
responsibilities.
I extend my gratitude to the Commandant, Sri Lanka
Army Volunteer Force and the organizing committee for showcasing a
colourful and glamorous Prize Awarding Ceremony on the final day of the
meet.` In conclusion, let me wish all the winners and other participants
good luck and a prosperous future. Thank you.
Courtesy : SL Army | 
