Army Commander joins paratrooper jump

Kudaoya, Jan 24 (Daily Mirror) - Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage participated in paratrooper jump over the Uhana Air Force Base drop zone with a group of airborne soldiers. 

The Sri Lanka Arny said the Commander's journey to become a military paratrooper took place at the Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) in Kudaoya.

On 22 January 2024, 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 from the Uhana Air Force Base runway. 

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, the Army Commander has attained distinction as the eldest highest-ranking military personnel to successfully qualify as a Military Para Trooper.