ROYAL COLLEGE CLASS OF 80 FELICITATES THEIR DISTINGUISHED MATES

The Royal College Class of 80 had arranged a special ceremony at Movenpick Hotel Friday (19th July) evening to felicitate the class mates who have achieved the remarkable feat in their professions.

Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne was felicitated for becoming the Chief of Defence Staff, the highest seat of the armed forces of Sri Lanka and being awarded the distinguished Medal Nishan-E-Imtiaz (Military) by the government of Pakistan for his significant contribution in strengthening the defence relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Admiral Wijegunaratne is the first ever Sri Lankan military officer to be awarded with the medal.

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz (order of Excellence) is the highest honour given to any civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or an outstanding service for the country. The award is not limited to citizens of Pakistan and while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on uniform.

Nishan-e-Imitiaz (Military) is the highest award that can be awarded to those at the rank of Generals (Army), Air Chief marshals (Air Force) and Admirals of Navy, Coast Guard and Marines for their distinguished service.

Nishan-e-Imtiaz or Order of Imtiaz is highly restricted and prestigious award roughly equivalent to Presidential Medal of Freedom (USA) and Order of British Empire (UK).

The other members of Class of 80 who were felicitated are Court of Appeal Judge Justice Bandula Karunarathne, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Kalinga Indatissa PC, College of Surgeons President Dr. Nissanka Jayawardana, College of Otorhinolaryngologists Head and Neck Surgeons of Sri Lanka President Dr. Saman Yasawardana, Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) President Eng. Prof. Manojya Pallewatta, National Medicines Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka Chairman, Prof. Asitha de Silva and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing of the Colombo University, Prof. Devaka Weerakoon.

The brief ceremony was followed by a get-together which was attended by a large number of the members of the Royal College Class of 80 and their ladies.\r\n