The final Passing-Out Parade of All Island Western Band Challenge Trophy – 2026, organized by the National Cadet Corps, was held in a grand and dignified manner on 2nd October 2026.
The Passing-Out Parade comprised 41 Western Band Cadet Platoons representing 30 Battalions located across the island. The Parade Commander was Lieutenant Colonel HMSK Herath, Commanding Officer of the 15th Battalion, while Major PSK Kalikotuwa, Commanding Officer of the 04th Battalion, served as the Second-in-Command of the Parade.
Amongst the all island western band girls platoons Brigadier AGR Abesinghe challenge trophy was won by Newstead Girls’ College, Negombo. Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy and Dharmashoka College , Ambalangoda secured second and third place, respectively.
Amongst the all island western band boys platoons Major General TI Weerathunga challenge trophy was won by Nalanda College , Colombo 10. St. Thomas’ College ,Matale and Dharmaraja College ,Kandy secured second and third place, respectively.
The Director National Cadet Corps, Major General AKCS de Silva RSP ndc, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. A number of senior officers and distinguished invitees were also present.
The National Camp provided Cadets with an opportunity to further develop their Western Band skills, discipline, leadership abilities and team spirit. The final Passing-Out Parade marked the successful conclusion of the All Island Western Band Challenge Trophy – 2026.
Publish Date: 2026-10-03
Major General A K C S de Silva RSP ndc who was appointed as the new Director of the National Cadet Corps, officially received his Letter of Appointment by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP MMSc(Strat Stu-China) MSc(Def Stu) in Mgt,MSc (Def & Strat Stu) Fndu (China) psc, on 1st October 2026 at the Ministry of Defence. By that time Major General A K C S de Silva RSP ndc had been acting as the deputy director of National Cadet Corps,Sri Lanka.
A special ceremony to extend congratulations to the Deputy Director of the National Cadet Corps, Major General A.K.C.S. de Silva RSP ndc, on his promotion to the rank of Major General, was held on the morning of 22 September 2026 at the National Cadet Corps Headquarters premises.
The Headquarters premises had been prepared to welcome Major General A.K.C.S. de Silva RSP ndc, and the ceremony included a Guard Turn-Out and a Street Line Salute presented by the cadets.
During the ceremony, Major General A.K.C.S. de Silva RSP ndc was warmly greeted and extended heartfelt congratulations by the Chief Staff Officers, Staff Officers, Other Ranks and civilian staff members who had gathered in front of the Headquarters premises.
The occasion was a significant event as officers, Other Ranks, civilian staff and cadets extended their best wishes to the Deputy Director of the National Cadet Corps, who had been promoted to the rank of Major General.
On 21 September 2026, at the Army Headquarters, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Nilanta Premarathna RSP USP nps psc, presented the Insignia of Rank to Major General A.K.C.S. de Silva RSP ndc and extended his congratulations on the occasion of his promotion.
A cordial gathering was held at the National Cadet Corps Headquarters to mark the conclusion of the tenure of Major General A.P.C.R. Prematilake RSP USP ndc, who served as the Director of the National Cadet Corps from March 26, 2025, to September 3, 2026.
Concurrently, a dinner was hosted at the Regimental Centre of the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) in Kompannaweediya. Senior officers including the Deputy Director of the National Cadet Corps, Brigadier A.K.C.S. de Silva RSP ndc, as well as senior officers from headquarters, Commandants of training centers, Provincial Deputy Directors, Battalion Commanders, and headquarters staff officers, participated in this event.
The guidance and leadership provided by Major General A.P.C.R. Premathilaka RSP USP ndc during his tenure as the Director of the National Cadet Corps—specifically regarding the discipline, leadership, skills, and personality development of the cadets—will be recognized as a significant contribution to the future advancement of the National Cadet Corps.
A proud Guard of Honour was held yesterday in honour of the Director of the National Cadet Corps, Major General APCR Premathilaka RSP USP ndc.
The Guard of Honour was commanded by Captain Shantha Kumbalathara of 8th Battalion – Ratnapura, while the Second-in-Command was Lieutenant Kalum Subhasinghe of 2nd Battalion – Kandy. The Colour was carried by Captain Dhananjaya Bandara of 02 Battalion – Kandy.
The Western Band of Kingswood College, Kandy, provided the musical accompaniment, while Cadet Warrent Officer 1 TVS Dharmasena of 2nd Battalion – Sumangala College, Kandy, served as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard of Honour.
Cadets from Dharmaraja College, Vidyartha College, St. Sylvester’s College, St. Anthony’s College – Katugastota, and Rahula College – Katugastota participated in the Guard of Honour.
Major General APCR Premathilaka RSP USP ndc, is a distinguished alumnus of Taxila Central College, Horana, who has rendered over 32 years of distinguished and exceptional service to the motherland.
Having been involved in cadet activities from his school days, he developed strong military discipline from an early age. He underwent training as a Cadet Officer at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in 1992 and was commissioned as an officer in 1994.
He was Promoted to the rank of Major General on 19 August 2025, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Sri Lanka Military Academy.
He has served in the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and held numerous local and overseas appointments. In 2025, he was appointed as the 15th Director of the National Cadet Corps.
He has been awarded the Rana Soora Medal on three occasions, the Uttama Seva Medal and many other awards and medals for his outstanding bravery and distinguished service on the battlefield. His service to the National Cadet Corps is immense.
The “Sadesa Tharunu Abhiman – 2026” Inter-Provincial Youth Exchange Programme, organised with the objective of promoting the exchange of religious, cultural and social experiences, attitudes and skills among Cadet Boys and Girls, was successfully held from 29 July to 02 August 2026, centred in Clappenberg, Trincomalee.
The programme was conducted under the guidance and direction of the Director of the National Cadet Corps, Major General APCR Premathilaka RSP USP ndc, together with senior officers of the National Cadet Corps. A total of 350 Cadet Boys and Girls representing the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, along with 50 Cadet Officers and Officer Instructors, representing all provinces of Sri Lanka, participated in the programme.
The key objectives of the programme were to strengthen cooperation among different ethnic communities, identify barriers to reconciliation, develop an understanding of the cultural characteristics of different communities, promote effective communication and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants. The programme also aimed to nurture a generation of young people who respect all communities and religions while appreciating diversity and promoting national unity.
A wide range of activities was organised throughout the programme, including soft skills development programmes, outdoor and leadership activities, recreational programmes, cultural performances, a movie screening, musical programmes, walks and band displays, dining etiquette sessions and boat rides.
As part of the programme, a special community cleaning initiative titled “Shramabhimani” was also launched in the Eastern Province with the active participation of Cadet Boys and Girls representing all parts of the country. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme, providing the young participants with an opportunity to contribute towards environmental conservation and community responsibility.
The Opening Ceremony was held on 30 July 2026 at the Auditorium of St. Joseph’s College, Trincomalee, under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Defence Major General K.P. Aruna Jayasekara (Retired) WWV RSP VSV USP ndc psc.
The Closing Ceremony was held on 02 August 2026 under the patronage of the Governor of the Eastern Province, Professor Jayanthalal Ratnasekera.
The success of the programme was further strengthened by the invaluable support extended by the Tri-Forces, Sri Lanka Police, National Youth Corps, government and private sector institutions, and the people of the Eastern Province.
The programme served as a significant platform for bringing together young people from diverse communities, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the values of national unity, reconciliation, cooperation and peaceful coexistence. Through shared experiences and meaningful interaction, “Sadesa Tharunu Abhiman – 2026” contributed towards nurturing a young generation committed to building a united and harmonious Sri Lanka.
National Cadet Corps (NCC) joined the national celebrations of the Poson Festival at Anuradhapura. Cadets and officers from the 4th, 5th, 13th, and 23rd Battalions joined the Poson Devotional Songs (Bhakthi Gee) session named "Sawana Rashmi Dhara". The performance took place on 29th June 2026, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, in front of the sacred Sandahiru Seya in Anuradhapura. The Director of the NCC and Provincial Educational Heads of the North Central Province also participated in this event.
A special "Dansala" (almsgiving stall) was organized by the cadets in the car park of the Sandahiru Seya. The initiative was held to serve and welcome the massive crowds of devotees who had traveled to Anuradhapura to worship the sacred stupa during the Poson festive season.
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.
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.
© 2024 National Cadet Corps (NCC) Sri Lanka All Right Reserved...Design and Development by Real Pos
