20th May 2026
His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, graced the 17th National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration Ceremony held on 19 May 2026 at the National War Heroes’ Monument as the Chief Guest.
During the ceremony, the memories of fallen War Heroes of the Tri-Forces and Civil Security Department, who made the supreme sacrifice in the battle against ruthless LTTE terrorism before May 2009, were honored with deep respect through floral tributes in recognition of their valor, gallantry, selfless dedication, and invaluable sacrifices.
A host of dignitaries and war veterans, including members of the clergy, beloved spouses and relatives of fallen War Heroes, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) - Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Sunil Watagala - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) - Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo – Commander of the Army, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda – Commander of the Navy, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe - Commander of the Air Force, Inspector General of Police - Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Director General of the Civil Security Department, former Tri-Forces Commanders, the Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Tri-Service veterans and senior officers assembled to salute the memory of those brave heroes.
The ceremony, organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority, included the recital of the National Anthem and religious observances. The event commenced with the welcome address delivered by Brigadier Senarath Kohona (Retd), President of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the fallen War Heroes.
Thereafter, His Excellency the President addressed the gathering, followed by vigil mounting, the playing of the ‘Rana Bera,’ and the reading of the citation for bravery.
The Chief Guest, together with other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to the monument. Adding significance to the occasion, all distinguished invitees joined the representative gathering of the next of kin of fallen War Heroes in offering floral tributes to the monument, marking the climax of the day’s commemorative event.
As dusk fell, the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille in accordance with military traditions concluded the formal ceremony.
(Photo Courtesy: www.presidentsoffice.gov.lk)
