Sword of Honour | Sunday Observer

Sword of Honour

25 June, 2017
Chief Guest, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, and Army Commander Lt. General Chrishanthe de Silva at the parade
Chief Guest, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, and Army Commander Lt. General Chrishanthe de Silva at the parade

I was in the salubrious hills of Diyatalawa where the breeze was laden with its usual chill. The Military Academy was once a garrison of the British Army, who first settled here in 1885. It was later during the First Boer War that they set a massive prisoner of war camp for 2,500 inmates and 1,000 guards and other staff.

After the war the British built the first Army Training Depot here and began to train soldiers. The glorious tradition has continued since then. Thereafter, in 1950 the Army Training Depot began to train other ranks and officers were sent overseas for training.

During 1968, Major J.E.D. Perera (subsequently promoted General) was entrusted to set up an officer training school. The new syllabus was a reflection of the course at Sandhurst Military Academy, England. On January 10, 1981 the SL Military Academy was raised under the motto “Serve to Lead”, to train cadets of the Regular and Volunteer force. On successfully completing two years of training the cadets are commissioned at a passing out parade.

The reality of becoming an Army officer is a daunting challenge. It requires confidence, character, intelligence and endurance.

It is a lifestyle. It is probably one of the few jobs in the world that offers you a chance to defend your nation. Thankfully, for decades, parents have willingly enlisted their sons and daughters, upholding the true spirit of altruism.

Enlisted cadets get their first taste of military life as they enter the training grounds of the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA). I walked around accompanied by Major Nalin Marasinghe (Staff Officer- Print Media). During the period of training the cadets are attached to four companies, each under the command of a Major. These companies are named after four prominent battles from our nation’s history, namely, Vijithapura, Gannoruwa, Randeniwala and Balana.

Ancient battle history

The battle of Vijithapura is steeped in history. According to the Mahawamsa the armies of King Elara were well entrenched in four fortresses, along with 24 other armed detachments. These forts were located at Mahiyangana, Thitthambha, Vijithapura and Mahela Nagara. They were under siege for four months. The troops of King Dutugemunu had prepared for a head on assault on the fortification of Vijithapura.

The king’s war elephant was used to ram down the massive door. Gannoruwa is a village in the district of Kandy. In 1636 Portuguese forces launched their attack from the Fort of Attapitiya.

They were intent to capture Kandy. King Rajasinghe 11 was able to muster an offensive battalion of 15,000 troops. Before the encounter a spell of rain rendered useless the firearms of the foreign army, somewhat restricting their effectiveness.

The native battalion surrounded the troops of General Diego de Mello, and unleashed a counter attack that left behind only 33 Portuguese prisoners. General de Mello and his Captain Damio were both killed. This is one of the most successful battles in the history of Ceylon. In close proximity to Wellawaya lies the village of Randeniwela. By 1628 the defiant Portuguese had captured Batticaloa. They consolidated their defences with forts at Malwana, Menikkadawara, Ruwanwella, Alawwa and Kuruwita.

The coastal forts were in Jaffna, Mannar, Colombo, and Galle. The Kandyan Army took up positions at Badulla. They defeated the Portuguese under the command of King Senarath. The pass at Balana (Yatinuwara) was of strategic significance. It was the key to Kandy and hence, a vital defence.

Battle endurance training

At Diyatalawa new recruits are transformed mentally and physically. They begin their day around 4.30 am and must get ready for PT by 5.45 am. This lasts an hour. Breakfast is served at 6.45 am and then they prepare for drill practice. During the first term a cadet must perform a 5 mile run in 1.30 hours from Beragala in full uniform carrying his rifle and a 3.5Kg pack.

The second term demands a nine-mile run in two hours and the final run after two years of solid training is a distance of 24 Km beginning from the Kalupahana Bridge.

This challenge must be completed in three hours carrying a 10 Kg pack. The cadets are also subject to a Battle Obstacle Course and Battle Confidence Course. Apart from this, cadets are taught field craft, military tactics and the use of firearms. They must learn a range of academic topics.

Empowered Equestrians

One of the new competencies for cadets introduced in the recent past is horse riding. There is a fully fledged stable at the Military Academy with 24 horses, from Pakistan and India. The riding school was opened in 2013.The stables are nestled on a large paddock. I was able to see the horses being exercised. The officer in charge is Major Udaratage.

The animals are fed daily at 8.30am, 11.30am, 2pm and again at 6.30pm. A Staff Sergeant tells me that it takes a cadet almost 1 month to safely mount the horse and 3 months to be a good rider.

Prior to this they are taught to approach the horse and get to know the animal. The horses are exercised daily by 6am. Each week cadets have a one hour riding lesson.

The resident veterinarian Capt. Rukmali Wimalarathne tells me that the geldings are kept in peak condition. Prior to every parade the horses are taken 2 months before to the parade ground and taught to trot in formation, and get used to the music of the Army band. The stable has a dedicated team of 34 riders and staff including 2 officers. The magnificent white horse Dhawalaraja gifted by Pakistan is the star of the stable.

Commissioning Parade

This year the parade commander was Major. Basnayake (Adjutant of the Academy) and Captain Amarathunga was his deputy. The mounted officers, holding their swords enhanced the decorum of the parade. The present Commandant of the Academy is Brigadier Priyantha Senaratne.

All cadets received a sword as the symbol of their commissioning from the Chief Guest, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, and Army Commander Lt. General Chrishanthe de Silva at the parade.

At the end of the parade the new officers march out through the famous Makara Thorana (arch) signifying their entry into active service.

Later on, the parents of the new officers took part in the “piping” ceremony, where the officers’ stars are pinned on to their shoulder epaulets. The officers will now be sent to respective regiments of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Infantry Regiments, Signals Corps, Commando, Intelligence Corps, National Guard, Special Forces, Military Police and Engineers Corps.

The moulding of a civilian into an Army officer is best captured in the words of American General Douglas Mc Arthur “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He becomes a leader by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent’.  

 
 

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