Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) 65th Anniversary Arrangements Commence

Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), commenced a series of commemorative events at its Panagoda Regimental Headquarters on Friday (4) as a precursor to its forthcoming 65th anniversary.

SLE Colonel of the Regiment, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General H.C.P Goonetilleke who is also from the same Regiment at the invitation of the SLE Regimental Center Commandant, Brigadier A. N. Amarasekara joined the inauguration of commemorative events as the Chief Guest.

The day’s pride of place was devoted to commemoration of all fallen SLE War Heroes.

Colonel of the Regiment’s arrival was greeted to a formal Guard Turn Out at the entrance to the premises in keeping with military traditions after the Colonel Commandant welcomed him.

The day's ceremony of the 'Sappers' included the ignition of the eternal lamp in memory of fallen War Heroes, floral-wreath laying and a two-minute silence at the SLE monument premises by both the Chief Guest and relatives of all fallen SLE War Heroes receiving the memories of fallen War Heroes.

Religious observances of Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic denominations set in afterwards as everybody joined standing in silence.

The SLE monument was afterwards revered by SLE the Centre Commandant, SLE Brigade Commander, SLE Centre Commandant, and representatives of retired SLE veterans, SLE Unit Commanders, Commandant, SLE Training School and Regimental Warrant Officers in succession and the next of kin of fallen War Heroes soon after the first floral wreath was laid by the day's Chief Guest.

An all-night Pirith chanting, ceremony Friday (4) evening at the same premises, followed by 'Heel Daana' the following day (5) morning, were to bring the inaugural anniversary programme to an end.

Many retired SLE officers, serving officers, relatives of fallen SLE War Heroes and a large gathering of other ranks, parents, civilians and invitees attended the inaugural commemorative ceremonies.