The historic 65th Army Day commemoration ceremony on Friday (10) at the MoD grounds, attaching a new dimension to its formal parade, added a new feature to its agenda this time by rewarding three Army War Heroes for their exceptional performances in the most recent past.
Major M.N.P.S Siranjeewa, a veteran para-jumper in the Army, who had completed his 1000th fall a few days ago, was the first one to receive the honours from the Commander after the citation to that effect, was placed before the Army Day ceremony by Brigadier Nirmal Dharmaratne, Director, Directorate of Personnel Administration.
The citation extolled his exceptional bravery in jumping off from high altitudes as a parachutist of the Army in various ceremonial as well as other training events, displaying his skills on par with international standards. The Commander after congratulating him awarded the parchment that contains the certificate of appreciation and commendation.
Next, were the two War Heroes of Kilinochchi, Corporal M. Vijitha Perera and Corporal D. M Leelaratne, both from 3 Gajaba Regiment who did the Army proud by saving the precious life of a one and half-year old infant who was drowning in an agrarian well in Mankulam area, close to the 3 Gajaba Regiment Army detachment in Mankulam. (See the Army Website Story, Captioned, ‘Risking Own Lives, Two War Heroes Rescue Infant, Sivakumar Sindujan from Agrarian Well in Kilinochchi’).
Corporal M. Vijitha Perera and Corporal D. M Leelaratne of 3 Gajaba Regiment serving 574 Brigade of the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN), with no concern for their own lives and risks involved, dived impetuously into the agrarian well and rescued the drowning infant, Sivakumar Sindujan instantly, using resuscitating first-aid methods which they have learnt from the Army.
Both citations, presented to the Army Day ceremony and the parade spoke high of their bravery, humanity, timely action and concern for human lives and praised them as heroic sons of the soil.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake presenting the parchments with his commendations, congratulated both of them before they were handed over to the War Heroes amidst applause of the day’s gathering.
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