If ‘memories would never fade’ as they say, hundreds of families of fallen War Heroes lined up before the magnificent war memorial ‘Ranaviru Smarakaya’ at Battaramulla on Saturday (18) afternoon, enabling those living to immortalize the memory of their beloved ones once again.
Just a couple of hours after the day’s main ceremony at Galle Face Green was over, Speaker, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force and the Inspector General of the Police (IGP) were at Battaramulla Parliament ground to receive HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, scheduled to grace the special war memorial ceremony at Battaramulla as the second leg of the ‘National Victory Day’ fourth anniversary ceremonies.
It was a glittering ceremony that offered a deep reverence to the valour and gallantry of our War Heroes whose invaluable sacrifices made our today totally safe and more comfortable.
President Rajapaksa on arrival at the venue was warmly received by Mrs P.B Wettewa, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) and conducted to the special dais.
President Rajapaksa afterwards received the salute of the troops and paid respect to the National Anthem. A one-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, was then observed before religious observances of all denominations, got underway.
Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by Tri-service and Police bands reverberated, symbolizing the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes of the Tri services as the ceremony reached its peak. It also symbolized a tribute paid to the memory of them as was the case during the times of our ancestral kings.
Mrs Padma Wettewa, inaugurating the formal commemorative ceremony as the Chairperson, RVSA welcomed the Chief Guest and all the invitees.
Seconds after that, President Rajapaksa along with Speaker, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, CDS, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders and the IGP, walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths, in remembrance of all War Heroes of our times who laid their precious lives. It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent memorial lit up brilliantly, appeared to have immortalized their memory for the living to see.
Immediately after the President, beloved next of kin of fallen War Heroes, many of with their sons and daughters, queued up wailing and recalling shared memories of yester year. They spoke in flowers and paid their respect to the memory of their beloved ones. They knelt down at the foot of the monument and went on shedding tears while laying bouquets of fragrant flowers, some holding and embracing their children. It was a solemn moment of memory, replete with emotions but their death did not happen in vain but for a worthy cause, a cause that does not have price.
Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in military formality. Trumpeters of Tri-services and the Police joined together to play the melody. As dusk was falling, the Reveille sounded, marking the culmination of the formal ceremony which was attended by a distinguished gathering.
President Rajapaksa and distinguished invitees afterwards joined together and lit lanterns in front of the monument as a mark of respect to the War Heroes. The Aloka Pooja illuminated the entire complex giving eternity to the heroism, displayed by members of the Armed Forces and the Police during their battle over terrorism in different humanitarian operations that plagued this country for more than 30 years.
Just a couple of hours after the day’s main ceremony at Galle Face Green was over, Speaker, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force and the Inspector General of the Police (IGP) were at Battaramulla Parliament ground to receive HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, scheduled to grace the special war memorial ceremony at Battaramulla as the second leg of the ‘National Victory Day’ fourth anniversary ceremonies.
It was a glittering ceremony that offered a deep reverence to the valour and gallantry of our War Heroes whose invaluable sacrifices made our today totally safe and more comfortable.
President Rajapaksa on arrival at the venue was warmly received by Mrs P.B Wettewa, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) and conducted to the special dais.
President Rajapaksa afterwards received the salute of the troops and paid respect to the National Anthem. A one-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, was then observed before religious observances of all denominations, got underway.
Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by Tri-service and Police bands reverberated, symbolizing the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes of the Tri services as the ceremony reached its peak. It also symbolized a tribute paid to the memory of them as was the case during the times of our ancestral kings.
Mrs Padma Wettewa, inaugurating the formal commemorative ceremony as the Chairperson, RVSA welcomed the Chief Guest and all the invitees.
Seconds after that, President Rajapaksa along with Speaker, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, CDS, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders and the IGP, walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths, in remembrance of all War Heroes of our times who laid their precious lives. It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent memorial lit up brilliantly, appeared to have immortalized their memory for the living to see.
Immediately after the President, beloved next of kin of fallen War Heroes, many of with their sons and daughters, queued up wailing and recalling shared memories of yester year. They spoke in flowers and paid their respect to the memory of their beloved ones. They knelt down at the foot of the monument and went on shedding tears while laying bouquets of fragrant flowers, some holding and embracing their children. It was a solemn moment of memory, replete with emotions but their death did not happen in vain but for a worthy cause, a cause that does not have price.
Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in military formality. Trumpeters of Tri-services and the Police joined together to play the melody. As dusk was falling, the Reveille sounded, marking the culmination of the formal ceremony which was attended by a distinguished gathering.
President Rajapaksa and distinguished invitees afterwards joined together and lit lanterns in front of the monument as a mark of respect to the War Heroes. The Aloka Pooja illuminated the entire complex giving eternity to the heroism, displayed by members of the Armed Forces and the Police during their battle over terrorism in different humanitarian operations that plagued this country for more than 30 years.
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