President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the company of a distinguished gathering of invitees, including Clergy of all faiths, Mr Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary to President, Ministers, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Chief Ministers, Provincial Ministers and Councillors, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Service Commanders, Inspector General of the Police, Senior Civil Defence Force officers, Parents, Spouses and children, revered the memory of all fallen Civil Defence Force (CDF) members in the recent War for Peace after unveiling a monumental replica at Mihintale, Anuradhapura Thursday (19) afternoon.
Religious rites and observances of all faiths, two-minute silence in memory of the fallen, guard of honour, guard turnouts, reading of citations on valour and bravery of CDF personnel, placing of floral wreaths, presentation of heroic chronicles to the next of kin, gifting of various essentials to CDF families and children, unveiling plaques and the monument and a series of other programmes that displayed nation's gratitude to the CDF contribution to the restoration of peace in the country as an auxiliary force, added grandeur and importance to the solemn occasion, coloured by the presence of HE, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Thousands of CDF members, mostly recruited from their own native places of residence for security work at that time as vigilant community members in far remote villages, vulnerable to LTTE terrorist attacks, were subsequently absorbed and deployed as an institutionalized wing, called the Civil Defence Force of the Ministry of Defence several years ago as threats against distant villages and hamlets increased day by day largely in the Wanni and Eastern sectors and the LTTE's cycle of terror began to claim more and more lives of innocent infants, children, women, famers, passengers and scores of unarmed civilians. Though they used to closely collaborate with the Police for deployments, the CDF assisted the roles and tasks of the Army and the Navy immensely whenever their contribution was sought. During the execution of their sacred duties, many fell victim to LTTE terrorism.
President Rajapaksa as well as Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa after formalities of the ceremony, like wreath laying and plaque unveiling, addressed the gathering and spoke high of their dedication and commitment at a time their services were most required and sought as the war intensified. Both of them paid glowing tributes to their memory and family members who stood behind them, braving against all odds and challenges in remote areas with dense jungles.
Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera (retd), Member of Parliament, former CDF Director General, Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, Director General CDF and a large gathering attended the monument opening ceremony.
Religious rites and observances of all faiths, two-minute silence in memory of the fallen, guard of honour, guard turnouts, reading of citations on valour and bravery of CDF personnel, placing of floral wreaths, presentation of heroic chronicles to the next of kin, gifting of various essentials to CDF families and children, unveiling plaques and the monument and a series of other programmes that displayed nation's gratitude to the CDF contribution to the restoration of peace in the country as an auxiliary force, added grandeur and importance to the solemn occasion, coloured by the presence of HE, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Thousands of CDF members, mostly recruited from their own native places of residence for security work at that time as vigilant community members in far remote villages, vulnerable to LTTE terrorist attacks, were subsequently absorbed and deployed as an institutionalized wing, called the Civil Defence Force of the Ministry of Defence several years ago as threats against distant villages and hamlets increased day by day largely in the Wanni and Eastern sectors and the LTTE's cycle of terror began to claim more and more lives of innocent infants, children, women, famers, passengers and scores of unarmed civilians. Though they used to closely collaborate with the Police for deployments, the CDF assisted the roles and tasks of the Army and the Navy immensely whenever their contribution was sought. During the execution of their sacred duties, many fell victim to LTTE terrorism.
President Rajapaksa as well as Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa after formalities of the ceremony, like wreath laying and plaque unveiling, addressed the gathering and spoke high of their dedication and commitment at a time their services were most required and sought as the war intensified. Both of them paid glowing tributes to their memory and family members who stood behind them, braving against all odds and challenges in remote areas with dense jungles.
Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera (retd), Member of Parliament, former CDF Director General, Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, Director General CDF and a large gathering attended the monument opening ceremony.
(President’s speech courtesy : Daily News)
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