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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

12th November 2015 01:21:45 Hours

‘Poppy Day’ Salutes Memories of All Fallen War Heroes

Sri Lanka Ex- Servicemen's Association (SLESA) as was the practice every year honoured all fallen War Heroes, including those in the World Wars during a fitting ceremony that commemorated the Poppy Day - 2015 at the Vihara Maha Devi Park cenotaph on Sunday (8).

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi at the invitation of the SLESA, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He was warmly received by Brigadier (retd) K.A Gnanaweera, President, SLESA before formalities got underway.

A one-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice revered their memories before religious observances of all four denominations, began. 

The Chief Guest afterwards laid floral wreaths and saluted the fallen, paying a solemn tribute to all War Heroes. 

Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in conformity with military traditions as trumpeters of the tri-services, joined together to play the melody. As the noon was falling, the Reveille sounded, marking the culmination of the brief ceremony which was attended by a large gathering of ex-servicemen and serving servicemen. 

The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral R.C Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala, Mayor Colombo Municipal Council, A. J. M. Muzammil and a distinguished gathering took part in the formal ceremony.