20th anniversary of KDA Intake VII

Intake VII of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA) celebrated its 20th anniversary recently.

A special Pinkama was held at Gangarama Temple to commemorate the anniversary, pay tribute to and invoke blessings on seven War Heroes of the VII batch who are missing or made the supreme sacrifice in services to the motherland, Commanding Office of the Air Field Construction Wing Commander Rasika Bellanage said.

The batchmates remembered Maj. Lalaka Fernando who went missing in November 1995 during action in Karainagar. Maj. Nilantha Abeyratne, missing since July 1996 during action in Mullaitivu, Lt. Cdr Sisira Amarasekera, missing since October 1996 during action in Trincomalee, Lt. Cdr. Nalanka Aluthge, killed in action at Point Pedro in February 1998, Maj. Sithumina Dharmaratne, killed in action at Kanagarayankulam in April 1998, Lt. Col. Samatha Ranatunge, killed in action at Thoppigala in July 2007 and Cdr. Kamal Manorathne, missing since January 2006 during action in Trincomalee.

Since 1981, the Academy has been conducting training programs and has produced 881 graduate officers specialising in a variety of disciplines such as electronics, electrical, mechanical, marine, aeronautical, civil engineering, and management studies.The VII batch which began training at the KDA on November 14, 1989, at the end of their courses saw 34 Second Lieutenants, 24 Acting Sub Lieutenants and 23 Pilot Officers passing out to take up postings in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The VII intake has organised a two-day get-together at the Kukuleganga Army Holiday Resort which will conclude today.