HERMANN LOOS & DE SOYSA COMPETITION CAMP - 2011

This year Hermann Loos and De Soysa Competition Camp was held from 10th October 2011 to 23rd October 2011 at the National Cadet Corps Training Centre, Rantembe. On the invitation of the Director NCC Major General Gamini Jayasundara RWP RSP , Honourable D.M. Jayarathne, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka attended Passing Out Parade as the Chief Guest.

Hermann Loos and De Soysa Competition is the culmination of cadet training in Sri Lanka. Champions and runners-up of 21 Battalions spread throughout the country completed for coveted Hermann Loos Trophy. It is considered a great honour to the school as well as the Battalion winning this precious Trophy after well contested competition. Ultimately Kingswood College, Kandy was privileged to win the Trophy being energetic intellectual and dedicated young cadets of the school.

Girl cadet platoons spread across the country contested in two stages prior to the competition for De Soysa Trophy. Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya was fortunate to win the De Soysa Trophy being the best all around girls platoon in the island this year. Runners-up of the Hermann Loos and De Soysa Trophies are Bandaranaike College, Gampaha and Thakshila MMV, Horana respectively.

In addition champions and runners-up of Naval , Air and Police Wings of the Corps also participated in the Camp. Winners of Western and Eastern Bands both boys and girls divisions took part in the Camp. It was the concept of Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa Secretary Ministry of Defence and Urban Development to provide Sri Lankan cadets an exposure of interacting with cadets from South Asian Regions. Thus, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development invited Heads of NCCs, Officers and Cadets from SAARC Countries visited Sri Lanka in order to witness prestigious Hermann Loos and De Soysa Parade that marched on the parade ground with courage , determination and strength in front of approximately 10,000 spectators. The delegation was comprised of Lt. Gen. PS Bhalla AVSM - Director General of Indian NCC and his spouse, Brig. Gen. Mohd Obaidul Haque - Director of Bangladesh NCC, Brig. Gen. Shyam Bahudur Thapa - Chief Advisor of Nepal NCC, five officers, thirty cadets representing India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal.

Victorious platoons were awarded trophies by Hon. Prime Minister the Chief Guest of the ceremony. Addressing the gathering at the outset Hon. Prime Minister extended his blessings and gratitude to the Director NCC Major General Gamini Jayasundara RWP RSP for the service renders to the NCC that infuses and nurtures qualities like leadership, secularism, patriotism, selfness, service discipline, hard work and other character building qualities in the youth of our country.

Further, he pointed out the youth of Independent Sri Lanka are extremely fortunate that such an organization exists in the country which devotes financial and physical resources towards their personality development.

Hon Prime Minister was pleased to see delegations from South Asian Regions and said that their participation is a blessing to promote multi lateral ties among friendly SAARC Countries.

Principals, Teachers, Parents and government officials gathered in thousands to witness the parade were entertained by cultural show, bike displays, tattoo and band displays conducted by Army, Navy, Air Force and Police personnel.

Seva Vanitha of the NCC that has become a pillar of strength to the organization under the patronage of Mrs. Priyanthi Jayasundara provided lunch for nearly 10,000 viewers who witnessed the final parade. Simultaneously, the other infrastructure facilities were organized by Seva Vanitha Branch to make the entire programme a great success.

Mrs. Jaswinder Kaur, the spouse of Director General Indian NCC opened the buffet table for spectators on the invitation of Mrs. Priyanthi Jayasundara President Seva Vanitha of the NCC. Most of the spectators appreciated the caliber and capacity of the President Seva Vanitha for rendering back upsupport for the success of the entire ceremony.

The Commandant of the Training Centre, Senior Officers of the Headquarters NCC, Battalion Commanding Officers and Staff Officers of Headquarters and Training Centre attended the ceremony.