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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

63rd Anniversary &;amp; Army Day Celebrations Reach Their Peak


Sri Lanka Army, raised in October 1949 as the country’s most formidable land force to be reckoned with, is 63 years old on Wednesday (October 10) and boasts 24 regiments, including volunteer ones. Having given pride of place to a string of commemorative religious ceremonies of all four denominations (Oct 1-6), elaborate anniversary arrangements are underway from Wednesday (10) with a Guard Turnout and a military salute to the Commander of the Army.
 
At a time, these peacetime defenders of the nation, have now thrown their full weight behind a multiplicity of nation-building development tasks as assigned by the government, their 63rd anniversary, assumes greater significance and signals a new forward-looking vision to the organization after its landmark victory over terrorism in the year 2009.
 
This year’s anniversary celebrations commenced on October 1, with the customary Flag Blessing ceremony at Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya precincts where blessings were symbolically invoked on all regimental and unit flags. It followed Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious observances and prayers on Oct 2,3 & 4 respectively at Sri Ponnambalam Vineshvar Kovil, Davatagaha Mosque and Shrine and All Saints’ Church in Colombo.
 
An all-night Pirith chanting ceremony on 5th  October at Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya (Army Temple) offered Heel Daana (breakfast) and alms (Saangika Daana) to 63 monks, the following day (6).      
      
The apex of the year’s anniversary events gets underway on 10 October (Army Day) with several military events at CR & FC grounds, Colombo 7 where Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, is the Chief Guest.
 
Upon the Commander’s inspection of the Guard Turn Out, presented in his honour, the formal inauguration of the day’s proceedings begins with the Commander’s hoisting of the Army Flag and recital of the Army Song, adding sentiments of patriotism and grandeur to the occasion.
 
Soon after the two-minute silence in honour of the memory of all fallen and missing War Heroes, the day’s highlight, the ceremonial parade with regimental colours, will salute the Commander after the colourfully-attired Parade Commander reports it in accordance with military traditions.
 
Next, is the Commander’s customary address to all troops in the Army, in which the Commander is expected to evaluate and appreciate multiple development roles, being pursued by the Army in the post-conflict Sri Lanka.
 
The second segment of the Army Day programme comprises the Commander’s visit to Attidiya Mihindu Seth Medura for distribution of gift parcels among more than 50 dependent War Heroes, residing there. He will be accompanied by senior officers and Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch. A special tea table, organized for all ranks at Army Headquarters at evening and all ranks dinner hosted at Army cantonment Panagoda the same day brings the day’s programme to a close.
 
Army Dinner Dance, revived last year after absence of more than 30 years as one of the pioneering social and entertaining events in the Army calendar of events, will take place on 13 October, bringing all anniversary programmes to an end. Proceeds from the Dinner Dance are to be used for welfare work of disable War Heroes and Army families.