National War Hero Commemorative Month Begins

The ‘National War Hero Commemoration Month’ (Jathika Ranaviru Semarum Masaya), the one-month long fitting tribute to the memory and recognition of invaluable services of War Heroes to the Nation, begins on Wednesday (8) with the pinning of the first ‘Ranaviru Upahara’ flag on HE the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces at Temple Trees.

Mrs Padma Weththewa, Chairperson, Ranaviru Seva Authority in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development organizes the annual event, heralding the onset of the chain of commemorative ceremonies around the country.

Remembrance of these War Heroes reaches its apex on May 18 with the ‘Victory Parade’ at Galle Face Green and laying of floral wreaths at the Ranaviru Memorial at Sri Jayawardenapura Parliament Grounds, the same afternoon.

Over 21,000 War Heroes, including those went missing made the supreme sacrifice for defence of the country in the 30-year long cycle of terrorism while some 12,000 War Heroes became disable for the rest of their lives. The commemorative arrangements are now an annual feature in the national calendar of events with provincial ceremonies scheduled around the country with the participation of respective Governors.