Honoured, says Sri Lankan Army Chief as he returns to Military Academy in Dehradun three decades later
Once a cadet at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo on Saturday reviewed the passing out parade of the latest batch of newly commissioned officers, who are set to step out from the Indian Army’s ‘cradle of leadership’.
A total of 451 gentleman cadets of the 156 regular course, 45 technical entry scheme and 139 technical graduate course, forming the Spring Term-2025, passed out from the IMA on Saturday. This was the 156th passing out parade since its inception in 1932.
The newly commissioned officers included 32 from nine friendly foreign countries, with two of these from Sri Lanka. Another senior Sri Lankan Army officer, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake, whose son was among the newly commissioned officers, also attended the event.
So far, 296 Sri Lankan Army Officers have trained at the IMA. At any given time, about 700 Sri Lankan personnel across all ranks are training in various Indian military institutions.
Calling it an emotional homecoming, Lt Gen Rodrigo said he was deeply honoured to be at the passing out parade. He was commissioned from the IMA in December 1990 as part of the 87th course.
He is on an official visit to India from June 11 to June 14. The visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and capability enhancement between the two countries.
Besides meeting top Indian military and civilian dignitaries, including the three Service Chiefs, his itinerary includes visits to important military establishments.
“The visit underscores the ongoing commitment by both Sri Lanka and India to deepen their robust defence cooperation, which has been built over decades of shared history, mutual trust and regional partnership. It also served as an important step towards strengthening the camaraderie and personal bonds between the two armies, capacity building, military training exchanges and coordinated response to regional challenges,” read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Lt Gen Rodrigo had joined the Sri Lankan Army as an officer cadet in January 1989 as part of the under Regular Intake. After successfully completing officer cadet training in the Sri Lankan Military Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
A gunner, he later attended the Artillery Young Officers Course in India and has commanded Sri Lanka’s 18 Field Regiment Artillery. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence University of the United States and has also undergone a short training course in Pakistan.
Addressing the cadets at the IMA, he 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 reminded them that they would not only wear a rank, but embrace a new way of life with three unshakable responsibilities which they must uphold – first to the nation, second to the soldiers and third to the families of the bravehearts. He also said that the foreign officer cadets are the brand ambassadors of the values, imbibed by the IMA, that transcend borders.
Lt Gen Rodrigo presented the Sword of Honour to Academy Cadet Adjutant Anni Nehra for being adjudged as the overall best cadet.
Academy Under-Officer Ronit Ranjan Nayak bagged the gold medal for standing first in the order of merit, Nehra received the silver merit, while the bronze medal went to Battalion Under-Officer Anurag Verma.
Sergeant Akash Bhadouriya won the silver medal for standing first in the order of merit among technical graduates, while Nishan Balami from Nepal won the award for standing first amongst foreign cadets.
India