All ranks of the Commando Regiment (CR) of the Army on Thursday (10) morning gathered together at their Ganemulla CR Regimental Headquarters to extend a warm welcome to the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who was making his first visit to the headquarters after assumption of office as the Commander.
 
Nearly a four-digit of Commandos who have earned a name for themselves as fierce Army fighters of the best quality, warmly greeted the visiting Army Chief with elaborate arrangements, put in place on the directions of the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Prasanna De Silva.     
  
Minutes after his arrival Lieutenant General Ratnayake was invited to the parade ground to receive the Guard of Honour, accorded to him. The Commander in the company of the Parade Commander and Colonel of the Regiment afterwards inspected the Guard of Honour before taking the salute to be in line with military traditions.
 
Giving due respect to the memory of valiant Commandos who had laid their lives for the sake of the motherland, a floral-wreath laying ceremony, took place at the CR monument inside the premises before the rest of the itinerary.
 
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who assumed office on August 1, 2013 is the 20th Commander of the Army. He was enlisted to the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 06 February 1980 as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1981 in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Regiment.

A few minutes later, the Commander rose to his feet and addressed the packed audience, anxiously awaiting his oration.
  
Reminding them of their motto, ‘Nothing is Impossible’, the Commander heaped a volume of praise on unparalleled sacrifices and unmatched dedication, hitherto made by the Commandos, making the Army as well as the country proud.
 
‘It is particularly important to keep in mind that your service is provided to the most distinguished group of people and it is the discipline that mirrors your conduct. Therefore the highest levels of discipline among you are a must that should not be forgotten under any circumstances,’ the Commander stressed.   

Releasing a statement the army has said that the Commander was given the highest respect and honor for his insight and sound advice. The gathering consisted of all the ranks and they all witnessed the ascension of the Commander to their camp.