During a recent flag ceremony in Kandy I noticed a smart female soldier, among her male colleagues, marching with pomp carrying the flag of the Women’s Corp. A few weeks later, I met Renuka Samanthi Buthpitiya, at her regimental headquarters in Colombo.
Standing 6 feet in height, Warrant Officer Renuka Buthpitiya, 38, seems the text book image of a female officer. Bestowed with a radiant smile and a humble attitude in spite of her many military achievements, Renuka is the senior most woman soldier out of almost 4,500 colleagues in the Women’s Corp. A native of Kirindiwela, she studied at Kirindiwela Central College. Renuka pledged her allegiance to the nation as she enlisted in the Army in 2000. Promoted to the non commissioned rank of W1 in 2013 she is the pride of the regiment, respected by her officers and soldiers.
Renuka, has represented the Army at firing meets in Indonesia, Bangladesh and China having secured a Bronze medal at the SAF Games. It was during 2011 that she was selected for the coveted Drill Instructor Course. Here she displayed her fine prowess in marching.
Soon her aptitude to command and lead was recognized and she became the first woman to be sent to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, London. Incidentally, Catterick is the largest training camp of the British Army set up on 2,400 acres of land. Thus, Renuka becomes perhaps, one of the first Asian women to obtain the All Arms drill wing Infantry certificate after two months of intense training. Those who pass this course are bestowed with the Pace Stick, a device used in military parades. The pace stick is the proud symbol that Renuka carries in celebration of her unique achievement.
Warrant Officer R.S.Buthpitiya is a glowing example of the equal opportunity given to all within the army, and she remains a role model to other female soldiers.
(DJ)