Fallen War Heroes in MIC Remembered

The memory of 66 fallen Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) War Heroes of the Sri Lanka Army who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland while serving an indispensable unit during the fight for peace was refreshed and honoured on Saturday (23) at the MIC Regimental Headquarters, Karandeniya.

Mr. A. P. G Kithsiri, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence and Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army at the invitation of the MIC Colonel Commandant, Major General Jagath Alwis, graced as Chief Guests in the two major segments of those commemorative arrangements at Karandeniya.

During the first segment, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army was greeted to a Guard Turn-out and was ushered to receive the military salute in accordance with formalities after he was welcomed on arrival.

The Army chief was then invited to open a newly-built Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess inside the Headquarters premises, a long-felt need in the MIC Regimental Headquarters. Accompanied by senior officers, the Chief Guest cut a ribbon and vested it in Senior Non Commissioned Officers for use as a gathering of senior officers looked on.

Simultaneously, the day's programme with the MIC Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) saw children of fallen and disable War Heroes and their families awarded cash vouchers and school accessories, etc as incentives to those families following sponsorships, made available by Mobitel to the ladies.

Mrs Nayana de Silva, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) at the invitation of the Chairperson, MIC Seva Vanitha Unit gave away those donations to  83 War Hero families in the separate ceremony that got underway inside the premises.

During the afternoon segment of the ceremony, Mr. A. P. G Kithsiri, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence as the Chief Guest placed floral wreaths at the MIC War Hero monument and recollected the memories of 66 fallen MIC War Heroes as their next of kin and relatives lined up next to pay tribute to their beloved ones.

The ceremony turned more solemn with melancholic rhythmic beats renting the air as relatives burst into tears as they knelt down to revere the dead ones. The Chief Guest was warmly received by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General E.M.M Ambanpola.