'This place forges bonds for a lifetime': Ex-cadet returns to IMA as Sri Lankan Army chief
NEW DELHI: It was an emotional homecoming for Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo when he arrived at the hallowed portals of the Indian Military Academy.
Now the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, he returned as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade, witnessing the commissioning of a new generation of officers, including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka.
It was in December 1990 that General Rodrigo was commissioned as part of the 87th IMA Course and rose to command one of the most battle hardened armies in the sub-continent.
While addressing the passing out course, General Rodrigo said, "I am deeply honoured and moved to the point of tears to stand before you as the first IMA alumnus to return as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and review this parade."
"Looking at your faces, I see my younger self. This place doesn't just train officers; it forges bonds that last a lifetime," he added. He thanked General Upendra Dwivedi and the Indian Army for the invitation.
The Sri Lankan Army chief reflected on how his journey, like that of the officer cadets present, had begun with a simple haircut in the barber chair of the Indian Military Academy.
Reflecting on his own journey, he reminded the cadets that commissioning into the armed forces is not just about earning a rank, but embracing a lifelong way of service, responsibility, and leadership.
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India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Sri Lankan Army commander calls on General Dwivedi for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation
New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, called on Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and discussed enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and global peace. Talking about the meeting in a post on X, the army said on Saturday, 'India and Sri Lanka, Forging Stronger Bonds Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, called on General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS at the Army House. They engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and global peace.' Earlier, in a show of India-Sri Lanka military cooperation, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army 'pipped' his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), marking his first day as a commissioned Sri Lankan Army officer. The ceremony brought the total number of Sri Lankan Army Officers commissioned from IMA to 296, according to the Army. 'This pipping ceremony brings the total number of Sri Lankan Army Officers commissioned from #IMA to 296, highlighting India's long-standing bonds with the friendly foreign countries and Indian Army's commitment in defence cooperation,' the Army said in another post on X. The Sri Lankan Army Chief also congratulated the graduating officer cadets on successfully completing their training and praised both cadets and instructors for the parade's discipline, coordination, and presentation. According to a statement, this visit is a reflection of the traditional, strong and historical military relations between the armies of India and Sri Lanka and will further strengthen mutual cooperation. On this occasion, a total of 451 officer cadets of the 156th Regular Course, 45th Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and 139th Technical Graduate Course, 32 foreign cadets from nine friendly nations including Special Commissioned Officers (SCO-54) completed their training and bid a proud farewell to the academy. (ANI)
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Down memory lane: Lankan Army chief recounts days at alma mater
NEW DELHI: It was an emotional homecoming for Lieutenant (Lt) General (Gen) BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo when he reviewed the passing out parade at the hallowed portals of the Indian Military Academy. Now, the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, he returned as the Reviewing Officer for the passing out parade (PoP), witnessing the commissioning of a new generation of officers, including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka. It was in December 1990 that General Rodrigo was commissioned as part of the 87th IMA Course and rose to command one of the most battle hardened armies in the sub-continent. While addressing the passing out course the Reviewing Officer said, 'I am deeply honoured and moved to the point of tears to stand before you as the first IMA alumnus to return as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and review this parade.' 'Looking at your faces, I see my younger self. This place doesn't just train officers; it forges bonds that last a lifetime. He thanked General Upendra Dwivedi and the Indian Army for the kind invitation. The Indian Army in a statement said that General Rodrigo reflected on how his journey, like that of the officer cadets present, had begun with a simple haircut in the barber chair of the Indian Military Academy. He reminded the officer cadets that today, they were not just wearing a rank but they were embracing a way of life. Quoting the IMA Credo, the General Officer highlighted the three unshakable responsibilities that every officer must uphold. First, to the Nation - second, to their soldiers and third, to the families of our brave hearts, the Army added. The General Officer reminded the officer cadets that they now belong to an unbroken chain of patriots and warriors, urging them to wear the uniform not just with pride, but with purpose. The Chief of Sri Lanka Army said the Academy has not only shaped soldiers but future guardians of the nation. As their real journey begins, he urges them to lead with wisdom, fight for what's right, and carry the hopes of a billion with pride. Gen Rodrigo was on four-day official visit to India, from June 11 to 14, reinforcing the longstanding and robust military ties between the two armies. While for Gen Rodrigo it was the last day of his visit to India, the IMA PoP on Saturday had another symbolic story with two Sri Lankan officer cadets, including RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake, passing out as commissioned officers.
India Gazette
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- India Gazette
With review of passing out parade at IMA Dehradun, Commander of Sri Lanka Army reconnects with alma mater
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, concluded a meaningful four-day official visit to India from June 11 to 14, reinforcing the longstanding and robust military ties between the two Armies. According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Rodrigo revisited the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, where he was commissioned in December 1990 as part of the 87th Course. Now the Commander of his nation's Army, he returned as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade, witnessing the commissioning of a new generation of officers, including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka. The event was deeply symbolic, with two Sri Lankan officer cadets, including RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake, passing out as commissioned officers. Their commissioning brings the total number of Sri Lankan Army officers commissioned from IMA to 296, highlighting India's continued role in shaping the leadership of friendly foreign forces. During his address to the cadets, the General officer expressed deep honour in reviewing the Passing Out Parade at IMA, calling it a profoundly emotional homecoming. Reflecting on his own journey, he reminded the cadets that commissioning into the armed forces is not just about earning a rank, but embracing a lifelong way of service, responsibility, and leadership. Emphasising that respect is earned through daily conduct, he invoked the IMA Credo - duty to Nation, Soldiers, and Families of bravehearts - and highlighted the enduring values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and honour. The General Officer urged the cadets to wear the uniform with pride and purpose, recognising them as part of an unbroken chain of patriots. He lauded award winners and acknowledged foreign cadets as ambassadors of IMA's ethos, reinforcing that its values transcend borders. He also called upon the young officers to lead with wisdom, uphold justice, and contribute fearlessly to the legacy of IMA, invoking Field Marshal Manekshaw's enduring words: 'Be truthful, be honest, be fearless.' During his visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo held detailed discussions with senior leadership of the Indian Army, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani and GOC-in-C, South Western Command, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, focusing on enhancing professional military cooperation, joint training, and regional security frameworks, the release stated. India and Sri Lanka conducted bilateral exercise 'Mitra Shakti', the flagship Army-level counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training initiative between the two nations. The 10th edition of the exercise was held in Sri Lanka in August 2024, and it continues to serve as a cornerstone for operational synergy and trust-building between the Armies. As per the release, at any given time, approximately 700 Sri Lankan Army personnel are undergoing training at various Indian Army establishments, making Sri Lanka Army the largest foreign participant in Indian military training programmes. These include prestigious institutions such as the Defence Services Staff College, Infantry School, Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Army Air Defence College, School of Artillery, Armoured Corps Centre and School, Mechanised Infantry Centre and School; and the Indian Military Academy itself. This training collaboration not only builds professional competence but also deepens interpersonal and institutional bonds between the two Armies. Lieutenant General Rodrigo's visit continues a tradition of regular Army-to-Army engagements between the two nations. Former Indian Army Chiefs have visited Sri Lanka for key bilateral events, including past editions of Exercise Mitra Shakti and high-level defence dialogues. Likewise, successive Sri Lankan Army Commanders have made official visits to India, cementing defence diplomacy through structured cooperation and shared training ethos. (ANI)
