Sri Lanka Army chief returns to alma mater as reviewing officer at IMA

The iconic Chetwode Building of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) echoed with pride and nostalgia on Saturday morning as it hosted the grand Passing Out Parade (POP) for the Spring Term 2025. The event marked the commissioning of 394 Gentleman Cadets, including 29 foreign cadets, into the officer cadre of their respective armies. Adding a powerful emotional undertone to the ceremony, the Reviewing Officer for the parade was none other than Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and an alumnus of IMA’s 87th Course.

The occasion was a poignant homecoming for Lieutenant General Rodrigo, who was commissioned from the IMA in December 1990. Addressing the cadets, he recalled his formative years at the Academy and described the moment as “profoundly emotional.” He emphasised that commissioning into the armed forces signifies not just a rank, but a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and integrity. Quoting Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he exhorted the newly commissioned officers to “be truthful, be honest, be fearless,” and uphold the IMA Credo of duty to the Nation, Soldiers, and the Families of bravehearts.

A particularly symbolic highlight of the event was the commissioning of two Sri Lankan officer cadets, including RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake. Their commissioning took the total number of Sri Lankan Army officers trained at IMA to 296, underscoring India’s pivotal role in shaping military leadership among friendly foreign nations.

During his visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo held strategic discussions with senior Indian Army leadership, including Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani and South Western Command GOC-in-C Lt Gen Manjinder Singh. These interactions focused on enhancing military cooperation, joint training, and bolstering regional security frameworks.

India and Sri Lanka share a robust defence relationship, exemplified by the bilateral exercise Mitra Shakti, a counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training initiative. The 10th edition was held in Sri Lanka in August 2024, further cementing operational synergy between the two Armies.

Currently, around 700 Sri Lankan Army personnel are undergoing training across various premier Indian Army institutions, including the Defence Services Staff College, Infantry School, Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, and the Indian Military Academy itself. This makes the Sri Lankan Army the largest foreign beneficiary of Indian military training programmes.

Lieutenant General Rodrigo’s visit stands as a testament to the enduring bonds between the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies. It wasn’t just a ceremonial return to his alma mater, but a reaffirmation of shared values, regional camaraderie, and mutual strategic commitment in the Indian Ocean region.