Defender of the Nation
The Sri Lanka Army celebrated its 76th Anniversary today (10 October 2025) at the Panagoda Army Cantonment, marking over seven decades of dedicated and distinguished service to the nation. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, graced the event as the Chief Guest.
In parallel with the 76th Army Anniversary, a dignified ceremony was held on 08 October 2025 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument to honour the immense sacrifices of fallen War Heroes.
An all-night ‘Pirith’ Chanting Ceremony, marking the final religious observance for the forthcoming 76th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army on 10 October 2025, was held at Sri Maha Bodhirajaramaya Temple, Panagoda, on 06 and 07 October 2025. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, together with Mrs. Swendrini Dissanayake, President of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) attended the ceremony.
A special prayer session was held at Kollupitiya Jumma Mosque on 02 October 2025 to invoke blessings for the forthcoming 76th Army Anniversary as part of the multi-religious observances.
St. Thomas’ Church, Kotte, hosted a special Mass presided by His Lordship Anton Ranjith, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, together with several other prominent clerics. During the event, blessings were invoked on the forthcoming 76th Army Anniversary (10 October) as part of the ongoing multi-religious observances on 01 October 2025.
2025-09-30
In preparation for the forthcoming 76th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army, scheduled to be celebrated on 10 October 2025, a special religious ceremony was held at the sacred Kataragama Kirivehera and Devala premises on 29 September 2025, with the participation of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army.
The second Buddhist religious ceremony in a series to bless the forthcoming 76th Army Anniversary (October 10) took place on 28 September 2025 at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, attended the blessing ceremony held in the Maligawa premises.
A special Hindu ‘Aashirwada’ Pooja (blessing ceremony) was conducted at the Sri Kandasamy Kovil in Vavuniya on 26 September 2025, invoking blessings for the forthcoming 76th Army Anniversary Day on 10 October 2025.
On the occasion of the forthcoming 76th Army Anniversary Day, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, visited the ‘Abhimansala – 1’ wellness resort in Anuradhapura on 26 September 2025 to inquire about the wellbeing of War Heroes undergoing rehabilitation.
The annual Army Flag Blessing Ceremony, held on the occasion of Army Day on 10 October and the 76th Anniversary celebrations, commenced this morning (26) at the sacred Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises under the leadership of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army.