Sri Lanka Army Commander soars to new heights as Military Para Trooper

Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage achieved the status of Military Para Trooper on Monday (Jan 22) through his profound expertise and knowledge in military parachuting.

According to the Sri Lanka Army, the Commander’s journey to become a Military Paratrooper took place at the Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) in Kudaoya.

On Monday, the Commander of the Army, with other participants including 18 military personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force and 14 members from the Sri Lanka Army, took to the skies aboard an MI-17 helicopter at the Uhana Air Force Base runway. The Commander executed parachute jumps over the Uhana Air Force Base drop zone, officially joining the esteemed family of airborne soldiers.

This achievement is particularly a significant milestone in the annals of military history as it marks the first-ever attainment of the designation; Military Para Trooper by a distinguished individual holding the esteemed rank of Lieutenant General, who is concurrently serving as the Commander of the Army. Further, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage has attained remarkable distinction as the eldest highest-ranking military personnel to successfully qualify as a Military Para Trooper.

Major General A.C.A de Zoysa USP Hdmc Lsc, Provost Marshal, and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police also joined the Army Chief in this endeavour. (NewsWire)