The Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO), held its 25th Annual General Meeting recently at the Regimental Officers’ Mess, of Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police, Polhengoda, Colombo 5.
Air Chief Marshal G.P Bulathsinghala RWP RSP VSV USP was elected as president. 

Former Service Commanders General C.S Weerasooriya, Admiral D W K Sandagiri, Air Chief Marshal J. Weerakkody, General R.M.D Ratnayake, and Air Chief Marshal G.P Bulathsinghala graced the occasion. Over 75 Flag Rank Officers who are Life and Associate Members of the Association attended the AGM. 

The ARFRO was formed in Sri Lanka in 1996 on the initiative of General Deshamanya J. E. D Perera VSV, bearing on his association with other retired Flag Rank Officers of Commonwealth Armies. Since its formation, membership of the Association has reached 295. All retired Officers of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka who held the rank of Brigadier, Commodore, Air Commodore or above at the time of retirement are eligible to be members of the Association.

The main objective of the Association is to provide a forum for Senior Retired Officers of the armed services, to meet, discuss and develop a base of camaraderie fostering ‘esprit de corps’. Among other activities, the Association develops and promotes the study of all professional subjects and matters that are of national interest with the participation of professionals and those versed in their fields of activity. Such exposure is made available to young serving officers too who are in training at various levels of service and aspiring to further their knowledge in relevant subjects. ARFRO assists families and dependents of KIA/MIA personnel to live ‘free from want’, through Ranaviru Family Counseling and Support Service (RFCSS). The assistance provided enables the families to know that they are being cared for. Few scholarships are also provided to facilitate children of these servicemen who can go in for higher learning without being financially burdened.