'Ranaviru' Flag Pinning on President Heralds Month of War Hero Commemoration

Memories of those who sacrificed on our behalf to make Sri Lanka free from the clutches of LTTE terrorism, will continue to reverberate throughout an exclusively declared one month-long period, ‘National War Hero Commemorative Month’ (Jathika Ranaviru Semarum Maasaya) after the ceremonial declaration to that effect, was made at Temple Trees Wednesday (8) morning.   

The inaugural ceremony of the War Hero commemorative month, headed by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, was organized jointly by the Ranaviru Seva Authority and the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development with a view to recalling unparalleled achievements of War Heroes and paying the Nation’s tribute to all of them, both alive and dead. 

Wednesday’s inaugural ceremony was brief but represented a top-level participation, attaching symbolic importance to the event. Soon after observance of one-minute silence and recital of the national anthem to honour heroic memories, the solemn occasion turned more dignified as the baby girl, Rashmika Nethranjali Indrachapa, an Uttama Pooja Pranama Padakkam recipient and daughter of late War Hero, Major Saman Kumara Udugama of 8 Gemunu Watch was invited to pin the first Ranaviru Flag on HE the President, formally inaugurating the period of commemoration.

The War Hero, Major Saman Kumara Udugama made the supreme sacrifice on 10th March 2008 at Parappakandal, Mannar while fighting against LTTE terrorists. This little girl’s mother was also a retired Major in the Army.

Unlike in any other country in the world, Sri Lanka has made history by awarding appreciative tributary medal, ‘Uttama Pooja Pranama’ to War Hero families, too for the first time as tokens of recognition of their invaluable contribution, on a conceptual notion of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development at all provincial levels.

The formal declaration that was made to this effect by HE the President, heralding the commencement of the ‘National War Hero Commemorative Month’ (Jathika Ranaviru Semarum Maasaya), was then read out to the gathering.

Pinning of ‘Ranaviru’ flags on Prime Minister, Ministers, Governors, President’s Secretary, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Provincial Council Secretaries, state officials and several other invitees, followed afterwards, symbolizing the launch of the commemoration.

Hon W.J.M Lokubandara, Governor for Sabaragamuwa Province on the same occasion handed over a cheque, containing funds, generated through last year’s sale of ‘Ranaviru flags’ to the President, on behalf of all the provincial Governors.

Several members of War Hero families in appreciation of the President’s concerns towards Ranaviru families throughout awarded symbolic souvenirs to the President during the ceremony.

Towards the end of the day’s event, Mrs Padma Weththewa, Chairperson, Ranaviru Seva Authority distributed symbolic packets of Ranaviru flags for sale among all Governors present.

    A special ‘Jaya Pirith’ chanting ceremony in Colombo on Thursday (9) will add significance to the series of commemorative ceremonies.

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.