Meets with Historic First Two Sri Lankan Cadets

Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe, the Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché to the United States in Washington DC was recently invited to the prestigious United States Military Academy at Westpoint in the state of New York. Westpoint is one of the world’s oldest military academies and has been in existence for over 200 years. The academy is operated by the United States Department of the Army to train and educate students to be officers in the United States Army. Founded by the Congress of the United States in 1802, the academy was the first school of engineering in the country. At present Westpoint accommodates approximately 4400 cadets including women.

Brigadier Jayasinghe in conversation with Brigadier General Scaparrotti, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets

The visit, conducted on October 29,2004 was of much significance due to the fact that Sri Lanka has for the first time in history, two Cadets at this prestigious academy. Cadets Mendaka Hettithanthri and Dilan Jayakody are presently freshmen, commonly known as “Plebes”. Hettithanthri, a former Royalist had completed a year’s training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy whilst Jayakody, from Maris Stella College had already completed three years at the Kotelawala Defence Academy prior to being selected for Westpoint.

Brigadier Jayasinghe and Brigadier General Scaparrotti exchanging Mementos

Brigadier Jayasinghe was taken on a conducted tour of the academy by Professor Grover of the Geography Department and met with Tactical officers responsible for the two Sri Lankan Cadets. The two cadets, according to these officers, are performing “extremely well” and “would continue to perform better in the future since they are exceptional individuals”. The Defence Attaché also met with the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, Brigadier General Curtis M. Scaparrotti where mementos were exchanged. General Scaparrotti thanked Sri Lanka for selecting and sending two outstanding cadets to Westpoint.

Cadet Dilan Jayakody (Left) and Cadet Mendaka Hettithanthri with Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe

Later, Brigadier Jayasinghe spoke to select classes of cadets on the Organization of the Sri Lanka Army and its present functions.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

03 November 2004