Sri Lanka Army, the saviour of the Nation and now, the most-sought service provider of the country, marked its 65th Anniversary and the Army Day on Friday (10) morning, during a colourful parade at MoD grounds.
Today’s ceremony is the climax of a series of commemorative ceremonies that got underway beginning the final week of September. The day’s Chief Guest Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake commenced the programme, raising the Army flag at the Commander’s Secretariat, amidst reverberating Magul Bera (auspicious drums).
A Guard Turnout at the entrance to the parade ground afterwards greeted him after the Commander was received by the Chief of Staff Major General Prasad Samarasinghe.
The Commander after paying due respect to the veterans, former Army Commanders who were attending the ceremony, was invited to take the salute in conformity with military traditions by the Parade Commander, Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera. Prior to it, the Army Song ‘Sagarayen Wata - Me Mage Mauv Rata ….. Rakimu Sadaa’ rent the air adding grandeur and patriotic sentiments to the occasion. The next moment on the itinerary was solemn and dignified since memories would never fade, as they say. All gathered at the occasion rose to their feet and revered the memory of fallen War Heroes in a one-minute silence before the Commander addressed the gathering.
After military honours, the Commander, accompanied by the Chief of Staff and the Parade Commander, reviewed the parade, presented by representative troops of all 25 regiments of the organization.
The ceremonial parade with Regimental Colours, presented to the Commander with fluttering Regimental flags, holding aloft and melodic rhythms of patriotic songs reverberating behind, drew the attention of everyone present.
The much-awaited moment of significance on the day’s itinerary, followed, next as the Commander rose to his feet with his customary speech, in which he paid a glowing tribute to the troops for their dedicated work. (See full speech in Photo Story)
Afterwards, the Commander did not forget to share a couple of thoughts with a cross-section of retired senior Army officers and other invitees who were attending the occasion during refreshments after the day’s main ceremony was over.
A representative gathering of past Commanders, retired senior officers and their spouses, principal staff officers, senior officers, spouses and other ranks also took part in the ceremony.
Later on, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake and senior officers, visited the inmates at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana where a large group of disable War Heroes are receiving therapeutic treatment and rehabilitation.
Befitting the occasion, the Commander and accompanying visitors spoke to the inmates and gave away gift parcels, brought with them.
A series of anniversary ceremonies that began in the final week of September, giving pride of place to religious observances at Sri Dalada Maligawa, Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Kirivehera, Kataragma Devalaya, Dawatagaha Mosque, All Saints Church and Sri Ponnanmbalam Vaneshwarar Kovil, Kotehena, are scheduled to culminate with an all night Pirith chanting ceremony and an alms-giving to members of the Maha Sangha.
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