11th November 2018 14:40:11 Hours
The annual tri service ‘Remembrance Day’ at the cenotaph in Colombo Vihara Mahadevi Park, organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association (SLESA) got underway this morning (11) morning, attaching due respect to all servicemen who had laid their lives for the country since colonial times.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. Hemasiri Fernando attended the event as the Chief Guest, together with tri service chiefs and seniors where floral tributes were paid at the cenotaph during the memorial ceremony.
The commemorative event also saw several SLESA members being decorated with special medals in recognition of their volunteer service towards promotion of welfare of local veterans, some of who are almost confined to bed or housed in elders’ homes.
Religious dignitaries of all major faiths, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, Chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force representing the Commander of the Air Force, foreign diplomats, Chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, senior Military officers, state officials and tri-service officers, military veterans and a large number of service personnel added dignity to the solemn ceremony by their presence.
Brigadier K.A Gnanaweera (retd), President, SLESA, together with SLESA executive members welcomed the attendees. Sounding of the Last Post and other military ceremonials brought the ceremony to end.
The cenotaph in Colombo was initially erected in November 07th, 1921 at the Galle Face but the cenotaph was later dismantled and reassembled at its present location during the Second World War as it was thought to be a prominent landmark for approaching enemy reconnaissance aircraft.best shoes | Sneakers
