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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

20th May 2018 23:00:29 Hours

Country-wide Troops Honour Memories of Fallen Comrades

In parallel to the National War Heroes' Day (May 19) and its elaborate commemorative arrangements at Battaramulla War Heroes' Monument, Investiture of Medals at Presidential Secretariat and the mega 'Aaloka Puja' at Kelaniya temple, all island-wide Security Force Headquarters, Training Schools, Divisions, Forward Maintenance Areas, Brigades and formations commemorated the event, giving pride of place to religious observances, flag-hoisting, recital of Army song and national anthem, reading of the Commander's Ranaviru Message, two-minute silence, wreath-laying, community projects, etc during May 18-19.

On the guidelines given by Major General L. M Mudalige, General Officer Commanding, 24 Division of the SFHQ-East launched multi religious programmes in Ampara area. A Bodhi Pooja at Mahawapiya Temple Ampara, a Hindu Pooja at Ganapathi Kovil Amapra, Muslim prayers at Samanthurai Mosque and a Catholic Mass at St Ignatius Church, Ampara recalled heroic deeds of fallen War Heroes and transferred merits to departed ones.

Meanwhile, troops of 59, 64 and 68 Divisions in Mullaittivu, together with their Commanders, Security Forces, General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, Senior Officers and Commanding Officers, Officers organized a chain of religious observances at Mulliyaweli Jumma mosque, Kulandan Catholic Church at Pudukuduirippu, and Shivam Kovil in Oddusudan, all of them under the guidance of Major General Dushyantha Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces-Mullaittivu. Another Bodhi Pooja ceremony in Mullaittivu after morning formal commemoration was staged at the SFHQ-MLT premises added colour to the ceremonies.

In the meantime, 57 Division troops of the Security Force Headquarters-Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) hand in hand with large groups of civilians in the area conducted a series of commemorative events. Major General Nyishshanka Ranawana, Commander, SF-KLN attended the main ceremony at the SFHQ-KLN premises and several other religious programmes in the area.

1 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment of 573 Brigade of the 57 Division joined a mass at Paranthan St Anthony’s Church on Friday (18) and 571 Brigade and 9 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops participated in another mass at Bharathipuram Baptist Church on Saturday (19) to commemorate War Heroes.

Similarly, 571 Brigade, 7 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) and 16 (V) (SLLI) troops of the 57 Division jointly took part in a Bodhi Pooja programme at Lumbini Temple in Kilinochchi in commemoration of fallen War Heroes and to wish speedy recovery for disabled and recovering war heroes at.

Several Hindu Poojas were also performed with the participation of a gathering of civilians by 571 Brigade and 16 (V) SLLI troops at Siththivinayagar Kovil, Thiruvaiaru. Likewise, 574 Brigade and 3 Gajaba Regiment troops participated in another Hindu Pooja at Ganapathi Kovil, Mankulam and transferred merits to fallen War Heroes.

In the meantime, Security Force Headquarters-Jaffna (SFHQ-J) had its elaborate commemorative arrangements organized in Jaffna, giving pride of place to religious observances, flag raising, two-minute silence, reading of the Commander's message, etc as per directions of the Army Headquarters.

Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi, Commander, Security Forces-Jaffna headed the programme at the SFHQ-J and afterwards took part in several Poojas in Hindu Kovils, Churches, Mosques and Buddhist temples, following arrangements that got underway in respective Divisions, Brigades and all formations.

Likewise, Killinochchi troops in the 651 Brigade organized a Hindu Pooja at Mulankavil Vinayagar Kovil and troops of the 652 Brigade and troops of the 20 (V) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment jointly gathered at Akkarayankulam Amman Kovil and made offerings. Troops of 1 Gajaba Regiment in Thenniyakulam joined another Hindu Pooja at Vinayagar Kovil and refreshed the memories of fallen War Heroes.

Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding 21 Division Major General Ruwan De Silva, Brigade Commanders of the division and troops of 21 Division along with their families held a ‘Bodi Pooja’ Pinkama at Sri Wimaladharmadutha Temple and a mass at St. Joseph’s church in Anuradhapura in order to commemorate the 9th War Hero day on May 18-19 respectively.

In the meantime, troops of the 54 Division conducted series of multi religious events cum Military formalities with the coordination and supervision of Major General Athula Galagamage, General Officer Commanding (GOC), and 54 Division on account of the War Heroes’ Day (19 May ).

A Bodhi Pooja programme at ‘Manuwehera’ temple, Hindu Religious performances at ‘Thirukethishwaram’ Kovil on Sunday (19) and a Catholic Mass at St. Sebastian Church in Mannar on Monday (20) held respectively in those sacred places commemorated fallen war heroes.

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