Memories of Fallen War Heroes Honoured on Army Day

Unmatched valour and unparalleled gallantry of War Heroes of the Sri Lanka Army, in a newly-introduced additional feature to the Army anniversary and Army Day (October 10) programmes Tuesday (10) evening received a deep reverence at the War Memorial at Battaramulla Parliament ground as the second segment of the 68th anniversary ceremonies.

Just a couple of hours after the day’s main ceremony and the parade at Panagoda was over, Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Amal Karunasekara, together with Senior Army Officers and Other Rankers were at Battaramulla Parliament ground to receive the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake who were to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

At outset of the proceedings national anthem and the Army song rent the air as tokens of respect.

Two-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland was observed.

Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by the Army band then began to reverberate, symbolizing and recalling the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes of the Army. It also reminded the gathering of age-old traditions and royal formalities during the times of our kings.

Seconds after that, the Commander of the Army along with the Chief of Staff of the Army in the company of Adjutant General solemnly walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths in remembrance of all War Heroes of our times who laid their precious lives for the sake of others. It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent memorial stood firm unmoved having immortalized their memory for the living to see.

Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in military way as trumpeters of the Army band joined together to play the melody as dusk was inching the venue. Sounding of Reveille marked the culmination of the formal ceremony.