Publish Date: 2026-05-15
On 28 April 2026, a Pirith Chanting Ceremony was conducted at the Headquarters of the National Cadet Corps to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gems for the Corps, which celebrates its majestic legacy of 145 years. An elegant procession with traditional dancing troops from the 3rd, 9th, and 26th Battalions led the Maha Sangha to the venue. The Chief Incumbent of Sri Sudharshanaramaya, Kalubowila, conducted the religious observances and dedicated merit to all the fallen officers of the NCC and the cadets who made their supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty of the Motherland. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, Major General APCR Premathilaka RSP USP ndc, along with a few distinguished former Directors, also graced the occasion.
Following the Pirith Chanting Ceremony held on 28 April, an almsgiving was conducted for the Maha Sangha at the Headquarters Administrative Complex in the early hours of 29 April 2026. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, together with the Principal Staff and Staff Officers of HQ NCC, participated in the occasion. The Chief Incumbent of Sri Sudarshanaramaya led the religious observances and commended the arrangements of the event. Cadets, Commanding Officers from 30 Battalions, Adjutants and Training Officers, Tri-Forces Permanent Staff members, and Civil Staff of the Corps also participated in the ceremony.
The National Cadet Corps conducted its annual ceremony of invoking blessings upon the Corps flags at the sacred premises of Sri Gangaramaya Temple on 29 April 2026, commencing at 0930 hrs. The ceremonial procession, led by traditional Hewisi drummers, brought the Corps flags into the temple precincts. Flags representing the Corps, Training Centres, Provincial Headquarters, and all 30 Battalions were ceremonially blessed during the religious observance. The occasion was graced by Cadet Regimental Sergeant Majors of all 30 Battalions, Adjutant Officers, Training Officers, Commanding Officers, Provincial Deputy Directors, and Commandants of NCC Training Centres. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, together with the Brigadier Administration & Quartering, Corps Secretary, Colonel Training and Head of Procurement, also participated in the sacred rituals, underscoring the institutional significance of the event.
It was unique and unprecedented when Oriental Band Cadets of the All Island Oriental Cadet Band Challenge Trophy Camp 2024 spoke to their Officers, teachers and parents through the rhythm of music which are very close to our lives when they played some thousands of well tuned musical instruments which are endemic to our motherland. Some thousands of loved ones of these oriental band cadets were mesmerised by the talents of these young lads and lasses in the morning hours of 13 October 2024, at their Passing Out Parade held at the NCC Training Centre Rantambe which was graced by Brigadier Sudantha Fonseka USP psc Director NCC. The gathering was vast and several key personalities could be seen in the pavilion representing the Ministry of Education and other organisations. All Principal Staff Officers and Staff Officers of the National Cadet Corps were present at the occasion witnessing their immaculate products displaying their talents in the middle of the NCC Parade Ground, Rantambe. Addressing the 53 Oriental Band Cadet Platoons after the Award Presentation, the Director went down the memory lane and fondly remembered his school days as a Band Cadet and a Sergeant of the Band Cadet Platoon later on, which paved way to join SL Army as an Officer and also the vigor he got to become the batch top of his intake winning the _Sward of Honour_ and the career he developed in the Army and the position he holds today being the Director NCC which a Cadet could reach within the organisation during the lifetime. While congratulating all winners he said that the Cadets of all 53 Platoons who attended this national camp are apparent winners as there are 131 registered Oriental Band Cadet Platoons in Sri Lanka. He also emphasised the uniqueness of Oriental Band Cadets due to the rare mixture of rhythm, cultural values, attitudes and physical strength in one individual and how he becomes an ornament to the school as well as the society. He requested all Cadets on parade to be a role model in school, displaying good values earned through Cadeting. Mentioning about the annual increase in the number of cadets taking part in the camps, from 19000 last year to 42000 this year and would be 60000 next year, he said. He fondly remembered the achievements earned by the NCC such as the President's and Corps Colours and so many other amenities and facilities for the Cadets of the NCC in the recent past. Finally he thanked all key personnel of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, Directors of Education, Principals, Parents, Members of the Permanent Staff and Civilian Staff for the assistance they extended which helped achieve success. Before ending the address, the Chief Guest gave a take home message to all. He said that Cadeting is not mearly a Co-Curricular Activity. It is a part of a person's life which is being used in his day to day life, unto death. *Award Winners* *GIRLS* Billet Inspection- Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Squad Drill- Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Band Display - Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Best Music - (Ananda Samarakoon Challenge Trophy) Rathnawali Vidyalaya, Gampaha Variety Show Competition - Kirillawala Central College. Director's Test - Visaka Vidyalaya, Colombo. Physical Training Test - St Anthony's Girls' College, Kandy. Self Confidence Test - Maliyadewa Girls' College, Kurunegala. Best Commander - Drill Sgt Fonseka KGAD, Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Best Commander - Physical Training Tables Sgt Perera KSD St Anthony's Girls' College, Kandy. Best Runner - Cdt Dissanayake DMRV, Maliyadewa Girls' College, Kurunegala. Best Drum Major - Sgt Gayathri LAST, Ratnawalie Girls' College, Gampaha. Runners Up Trophy - Rathnawalie Girls' College, Gampaha. Champion Platoon Sarojini Thewanayagam Challenge Trophy was won by Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. *BOYS* Squad Drill - Darmaraja College, Kandy Physical Training Test - Darmaraja College, Kandy Variety Show Competition - Darmaraja College, Kandy Band Display - Darmaraja College, Kandy Best Music - (WB Makuloluwa Trophy) Darmaraja College, Kandy. Billet Inspection - St Silvester's College, Kandy Self Confidence Test - St Silvester's College, Kandy Director's Test - Vidyartha College, Kandy Best Commander-Drill Capt NP Rajasinghe, Ananda College, Colombo. Best Commander Physical Training Tables Sgt Nanayakkara AGKS, Darmaraja College, Kandy. Best Runner - Cpl Denuwan GKGN, Nugawela Central College, Nugawela. Best Drum Major - Sgt Ranaweera KGWM, DS Senanayake College, Kandy and Sgt Dayarathne BWSN, Bandaranayake College, Gampaha. Runners Up Trophy - St Silvester's College, Kandy Champion Platoon. Capt PG Jayatilaka Challenge Trophy was won by Darmaraja College, Kandy. The Director and all Ranks of the NCC congregate all winners and appreciate the talents shown by all Band Cadets who attended this national camp.
On 28 April 2026, a Pirith Chanting Ceremony was conducted at the Headquarters of the National Cadet Corps to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gems for the Corps, which celebrates its majestic legacy of 145 years. An elegant procession with traditional dancing troops from the 3rd, 9th, and 26th Battalions led the Maha Sangha to the venue. The Chief Incumbent of Sri Sudharshanaramaya, Kalubowila, conducted the religious observances and dedicated merit to all the fallen officers of the NCC and the cadets who made their supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty of the Motherland. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, Major General APCR Premathilaka RSP USP ndc, along with a few distinguished former Directors, also graced the occasion.
Following the Pirith Chanting Ceremony held on 28 April, an almsgiving was conducted for the Maha Sangha at the Headquarters Administrative Complex in the early hours of 29 April 2026. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, together with the Principal Staff and Staff Officers of HQ NCC, participated in the occasion. The Chief Incumbent of Sri Sudarshanaramaya led the religious observances and commended the arrangements of the event. Cadets, Commanding Officers from 30 Battalions, Adjutants and Training Officers, Tri-Forces Permanent Staff members, and Civil Staff of the Corps also participated in the ceremony.
The National Cadet Corps conducted its annual ceremony of invoking blessings upon the Corps flags at the sacred premises of Sri Gangaramaya Temple on 29 April 2026, commencing at 0930 hrs. The ceremonial procession, led by traditional Hewisi drummers, brought the Corps flags into the temple precincts. Flags representing the Corps, Training Centres, Provincial Headquarters, and all 30 Battalions were ceremonially blessed during the religious observance. The occasion was graced by Cadet Regimental Sergeant Majors of all 30 Battalions, Adjutant Officers, Training Officers, Commanding Officers, Provincial Deputy Directors, and Commandants of NCC Training Centres. The Director of the National Cadet Corps, together with the Brigadier Administration & Quartering, Corps Secretary, Colonel Training and Head of Procurement, also participated in the sacred rituals, underscoring the institutional significance of the event.
It was unique and unprecedented when Oriental Band Cadets of the All Island Oriental Cadet Band Challenge Trophy Camp 2024 spoke to their Officers, teachers and parents through the rhythm of music which are very close to our lives when they played some thousands of well tuned musical instruments which are endemic to our motherland. Some thousands of loved ones of these oriental band cadets were mesmerised by the talents of these young lads and lasses in the morning hours of 13 October 2024, at their Passing Out Parade held at the NCC Training Centre Rantambe which was graced by Brigadier Sudantha Fonseka USP psc Director NCC. The gathering was vast and several key personalities could be seen in the pavilion representing the Ministry of Education and other organisations. All Principal Staff Officers and Staff Officers of the National Cadet Corps were present at the occasion witnessing their immaculate products displaying their talents in the middle of the NCC Parade Ground, Rantambe. Addressing the 53 Oriental Band Cadet Platoons after the Award Presentation, the Director went down the memory lane and fondly remembered his school days as a Band Cadet and a Sergeant of the Band Cadet Platoon later on, which paved way to join SL Army as an Officer and also the vigor he got to become the batch top of his intake winning the _Sward of Honour_ and the career he developed in the Army and the position he holds today being the Director NCC which a Cadet could reach within the organisation during the lifetime. While congratulating all winners he said that the Cadets of all 53 Platoons who attended this national camp are apparent winners as there are 131 registered Oriental Band Cadet Platoons in Sri Lanka. He also emphasised the uniqueness of Oriental Band Cadets due to the rare mixture of rhythm, cultural values, attitudes and physical strength in one individual and how he becomes an ornament to the school as well as the society. He requested all Cadets on parade to be a role model in school, displaying good values earned through Cadeting. Mentioning about the annual increase in the number of cadets taking part in the camps, from 19000 last year to 42000 this year and would be 60000 next year, he said. He fondly remembered the achievements earned by the NCC such as the President's and Corps Colours and so many other amenities and facilities for the Cadets of the NCC in the recent past. Finally he thanked all key personnel of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, Directors of Education, Principals, Parents, Members of the Permanent Staff and Civilian Staff for the assistance they extended which helped achieve success. Before ending the address, the Chief Guest gave a take home message to all. He said that Cadeting is not mearly a Co-Curricular Activity. It is a part of a person's life which is being used in his day to day life, unto death. *Award Winners* *GIRLS* Billet Inspection- Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Squad Drill- Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Band Display - Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Best Music - (Ananda Samarakoon Challenge Trophy) Rathnawali Vidyalaya, Gampaha Variety Show Competition - Kirillawala Central College. Director's Test - Visaka Vidyalaya, Colombo. Physical Training Test - St Anthony's Girls' College, Kandy. Self Confidence Test - Maliyadewa Girls' College, Kurunegala. Best Commander - Drill Sgt Fonseka KGAD, Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. Best Commander - Physical Training Tables Sgt Perera KSD St Anthony's Girls' College, Kandy. Best Runner - Cdt Dissanayake DMRV, Maliyadewa Girls' College, Kurunegala. Best Drum Major - Sgt Gayathri LAST, Ratnawalie Girls' College, Gampaha. Runners Up Trophy - Rathnawalie Girls' College, Gampaha. Champion Platoon Sarojini Thewanayagam Challenge Trophy was won by Sri Deerananda Vidyalaya, Pilimatalawa. *BOYS* Squad Drill - Darmaraja College, Kandy Physical Training Test - Darmaraja College, Kandy Variety Show Competition - Darmaraja College, Kandy Band Display - Darmaraja College, Kandy Best Music - (WB Makuloluwa Trophy) Darmaraja College, Kandy. Billet Inspection - St Silvester's College, Kandy Self Confidence Test - St Silvester's College, Kandy Director's Test - Vidyartha College, Kandy Best Commander-Drill Capt NP Rajasinghe, Ananda College, Colombo. Best Commander Physical Training Tables Sgt Nanayakkara AGKS, Darmaraja College, Kandy. Best Runner - Cpl Denuwan GKGN, Nugawela Central College, Nugawela. Best Drum Major - Sgt Ranaweera KGWM, DS Senanayake College, Kandy and Sgt Dayarathne BWSN, Bandaranayake College, Gampaha. Runners Up Trophy - St Silvester's College, Kandy Champion Platoon. Capt PG Jayatilaka Challenge Trophy was won by Darmaraja College, Kandy. The Director and all Ranks of the NCC congregate all winners and appreciate the talents shown by all Band Cadets who attended this national camp.
National Cadet Corps has today spread to all parts of Sri Lanka with 29 boys battalion and 9 girls battalions involving over 3000 school and same 85,000 cadets and over 3000 officers in the senior and junior divisions of the corps. In the process of development through the years its objectives too have changed, not only its name.
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