12th September 2023 09:04:52 Hours
The military funeral of Colonel R. Harendran (Rtd) of the Sri Lanka Artillery, who had served the country for more than 25 years took place Monday (11) afternoon at Borella general cemetery, amid gathering of his military comrades and other mourners.
Retired Senior Officers, Principal Staff Officers, Senior Officers, Directors and other mourners were also there to salute the late officer as the dusk fell.
Troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms near the entrance to the cemetery before the coffin was placed in the gun carriage, having draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of senior officers formally, received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the crematorium after all of them together with family members lined up behind the coffin.
The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions, then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer, could get in the event of his demise.
Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium.
Seconds after that, Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe RSP VSV USP ndu presented the bereaved family with decorations and medals Colonel R.Harendran (Rtd) had earned during his illustrious career, a general tradition in the armed forces.
Senior officers, Retired Senior officers, Officers, Other Ranks and Family members of Colonel R. Harendran (Rtd) participated in the funeral ceremony.
