MAJOR GENERAL SHANTHA KUMARA PAID A FAREWELL CALL ON THE CDS

Respecting the accepted customs and traditions in the military, the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES) and Director General, Directorate of Engineer Services in Army Headquarters Major General Shantha Kumara visited the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) yesterday (17 August) along with spouse and called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil prior to retirement from the Army.

The senior officer who has completed over 34 years of service in the Sri Lanka Army thanked the guidance and assistance readily extended at needy times in his military career. Adding to the conversation, the retiring senior officer stated that he could contribute to the organisation and the nation at large with his knowledge and expertise in the engineering field under the visionary leadership of the CDS. He also expressed his gratitude for the trust and confidence placed upon him by the CDS.

Recalling the dedicated services rendered by the retiring senior officer, General Shavendra Silva appreciated the service during the tenure as the Director General Engineer Services where this officer and his predecessor contributed to record the highest infrastructure development projects in the Sri Lanka Army when the CDS was the Commander of the Army. Particularly, the CDS mentioned the interest and efforts taken to develop and construct the facilities such as; Regimental Headquarter Buildings, Officers’ Mess, Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess, Other Ranks’ Accommodation complexes, Parade Grounds etc.

Further, the CDS especially commended him for completing the much needed Army Hospital in Kandy within a short period with the initiative of CDS to facilitate over 40,000 retired and serving Army members living in Central and North Western provinces. Also, the CDS greatly appreciated the prompt steps taken by the retiring senior officer to establish vitally needed quarantine and treatment centres during the global pandemic period when the CDS was the head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

Toward the end of the farewell call on, General Shavendra Silva also thanked the spouse of the senior officer Mrs Deepika Prashanthi for her active contribution to the Army Seva Vanitha Unit. Wishing the senior officer a successful retired life, the CDS also wished his spouse and the family a happy and prosperous future.

Marking the event, mementoes were exchanged before concluding the call on.