In 1881, then principal of Royal College Colombo, Mr JB Cull, formed a ‘Cadet Battalion’ for the first time in history in then Ceylon, initiating the School Cadet Movement in Sri Lanka. This Battalion was attached to the Ceylon Light Infantry, which is the oldest volunteer regiment in the Army.
In 1913, its name was changed to ‘Ceylon Cadet Battalion’ and it adopted the insignia of head of a young sambar deer and the motto ‘Never Be Unprepared’ was introduced in 1918. Again, in 1950, the organization was renamed as ‘Ceylon Cadet Corps’. When the country became a Republic in 1972, its name was changed to ‘Sri Lanka Cadet Corps’ and the organization has been called ‘National Cadet Corps’ since 1988.
Capt. MN Dharmaratne – SLCC (Retd), a former Platoon Commander of the Cadet Contingent, Royal College Colombo 7, initiated the process of constructing a monument at National Cadet Corps Training Centre – Rantambe to illustrate this history. Thus, the project was embarked with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy and through the collective efforts of the well-wishers who made lavish monetary contributions by purchasing “Ranadaruwo”, the novel written by Capt. MN Dharmaratne, to mark the commemoration of 140 years of cadetting at Royal College and in Sri Lanka.
The opening ceremony of the Cadet Monument at NCC Training Centre Rantambe was conducted on 11th June 2022 with the participation of Chief of Staff Sri Lanka Navy, RAdm YN Jayarathne gracing the event as Chief Guest and the supervisory team members of the Royal College Old Cadets. RAdm YN Jayarathne is a Hermann Loose winning cadet in 1984 under the guidance of Capt. MN Dharamaratne and all participants of the supervisory team (Mr. Janak Weerakkody – Sgt. 1984 platoon, Mr. Chandima Bamunuarachchi L.Sgt. 1984 platoon, Mr. Keerthi Elvitigala Senior Cdt. 1984 platoon, RAdm AARK Perera (Retd) Senior Cdt. 1984 platoon) were in same platoon.
The Director General of the NCC Maj Gen PWB Jayasundara and the Staff Officers of NCC HQ has given their fullest support to make this initiative a total success. The Commandant Sri Lanka Cadet Corps Trg. Centre Col Premathilake Rajapaksha & the staff attended the event too.
“May the cadet endeavour live long!”

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