Gajaba Regiment present Military Salute to Gen. Shavendra Silva

Gajaba Regiment Troops presented a Military Salute to Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander, Shavendra Silva, who was promoted to the rank of a four-star General, at the Army Headquarters in conformity with military traditions on Thursday.

He was elevated in rank by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on December 28 for his services to the nation, together with the Secretary Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne.

The glittering military event began as General Shavendra Silva’s ceremonial motorcade reached the main entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat to be greeted to an elegant Guard Turnout salute, a formal military feature, presented by Gajaba Regiment troops after Colonel Indika Perera, Commanding Officer, HQ Battalion at the Army Headquarters received him.

Major General Prabath Dematanpitiya, Chief of Staff, extended a warm reception to the promoted Army Chief in turn and invited him to review the Guard-of-Honour parade, presented by two Officers and 48 Other Ranks of the Gajaba Regiment, along with Regimental colours.

As marching melodies began rending the air, General Shavendra Silva, together with the parade commander and accompanying Chief of Staff reviewed the colourful parade and proceeded to the special dais before taking the Guard of Honour salute, which signifies a mark of recognition and seniority of rank.

General Shavendra Silva called upon all to join hands to further foster the image of the organization and contribute to the nation-building tasks in a more vibrant manner.

“Promotion in the forces is not only a show of confidence and acknowledgment of hard work, but it is also proof that the Sri Lanka Army is an evolving professional institution, making it an attractive career”, General Shavendra Silva remarked.