08th September 2024 20:07:44 Hours
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army, together with Mrs. Janaki Liyanage, President of Army Seva Vanitha Unit, attended the ceremony for the launch of the book ‘Rajali Sandeshaya' authored by General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
‘Rajali Sandeshaya’, the longest Kavya Sandesha (Anthology of poems) in Sri Lanka’s literary history consisting of 2579 poems, was launched at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on 06 September 2024.
This epic anthology serves as a reflection of Sri Lanka’s battle against LTTE terrorism, weaving together historical events and author’s personal experiences as a military officer during the war.
The author and Mrs. Chithrani Gunaratne had the distinct honour of presenting the inaugural copy of the literary work to the Venerable Maha Sanga. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa, spouse of Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Mrs. Manel Wimalarathne, spouse of Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne and disabled war heroes from ‘Abimansala’ were presented with a copy of the book.
The event also featured insightful keynote addresses delivered by Professor Praneeth Abeysundara and Venerable Induragare Dhammarathana Thero, who provided perspectives on the literary significance of the newly launched work.
‘Rajali Sandeshaya’ would be a tribute to those who fought against brutal terrorism and a reminder of the suffering endured by civilians caught in the crossfire. The author's experiences lend authenticity and emotional depth to the poems, allowing readers to grasp the gravity of the war and the immense sacrifices made to preserve Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
The event attracted a diverse and distinguished audience, including Venerable Maha Sanga, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, and his spouse, Mrs. Sujeewa Nelson, Academics, Artists and other distinguished guests.
