Gajaba Regiment, a shining example - Defence Secretary

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

“The Gajaba Regiment has contributed immensely towards eliminating terrorism from the country. I admire their dedication, determination and the rigorous training that they underwent to not only bring peace to the country but to also uplift sports. They are a shining example to the nation,” said Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

He was speaking at the first Gajaba Colours Night at Musaeus College auditorium, Colombo on Thursday.

The Defence and Urban Development Secretary graced the occasion along with Army Commander Liet. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya to present colours in the milestone event which honoured 119 officers and other ranks for their outstanding contribution to the sports field and for bringing national and global recognition to the country and the Gajaba Regiment (GR).

Officers who excelled in tennis, basketball, badminton, shooting, boxing, handball, squash, para handball, swimming, athletics, judo, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair tennis, soccer, taekwondo, body building and archery received colours during the ceremony.

A special plaque was awarded to Capt. Ranjith Indrasena as a life-time honour in recognition of his achievements in Boxing on behalf of the GR and his winning of the first gold medal in Boxing to both the GR and the Army. A brothers of fallen war hero, Colonel Y N Palipana, in concurrence with the consent of late war hero’s wife, gifted the GR with a 20-acre land at Kurunegala, in memory of late Colonel who died in an explosion in Jaffna in 1992, together with Gajaba war veteran Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne and a few others.