SRI LANKA ARMY will receive a further boost for its image and join the annals of Sri Lanka’s military chronicles when it issues a new Rs. 1000 worth commemorative Coin plus a new First day Stamp cover to coincide with ongoing Army 60th Anniversary celebratory events.
Both these souvenirs of historic importance at this landmark phase of the Army that routed the 30-year long terrorism from the country are to be released on Army Day (October 10th) as part of the Army Day agenda at Army Headquarters. Department of Postal Services and Central Bank of Sri Lanka have extended their patronage for both of them. Recently, the Coin was symbolically handed over to HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Governor for Central Bank during a brief meeting.
This Coin is to be given to each and every soldier including Officers in the Army in exchange of the deduction that has been made from their September salary. In addition a T-shirt and a Cap, specially designed for 60th Anniversary are to be given to all Army personnel.
The citation selected by both institutes responsible for production of the Coin and the First day stamp cover is run as follows;
“Sri Lanka Army, born on 10th October 1949 marks its sixty years of age (Diamond Jubilee) on 10th October 2009 with pride and dignity following the great victory recorded with the elimination of terrorism which prevailed over three decades. The Army, in retrospect has reached its unparalleled greatness through its unfailing determination, dedication, dignity and pride right throughout its sixty years of existence.
The Army founded in 1949 with a limited group of people is now composed of six Security Forces Headquarters, five Forward Maintenance Areas, fourteen Divisions, six Task Force Headquarters, sixty-four Brigades, seven Area Headquarters, two Sub Area Headquarters and twenty-three Regiments.
The Army goes into the annals of military history this year because of its unmatched and glorious victory over the scourge of ruthless LTTE terrorism that posed a threat to the country’s unitary nature and territorial integrity and disrupted the peaceful co-existence of all ethnicities for over thirty years, though the peak of fighting against terrorism took place between the period 1999 - 2009.
Heroic soldiers of the Army at the expense of their own precious lives and limbs brought peace to the entire Sri Lanka and unified the Nation under one flag through “Victory through Sacrifice”. Therefore the commemoration of the Army Day (October 10th) and its 60th Anniversary at this juncture inspires us greatly. The issue of a new Coin and a First day stamp cover at Army Headquarters to coincide with this golden landmark, signals the undeniable fact that the Army has re-created a new milieu for our younger generation where they could live in peace and happiness,” it ended.
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