05th September 2022 14:15:32 Hours
The 78th Anniversary celebration of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) got underway at Attidiya Eagles' Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall on Sunday (4).
The memorable occasion assumed further significance with the participation of Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) as the Chief Guest, together with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and several former tri-service Commanders.
Major General Upul Perera (Retd), President, SLESA delivered the welcome note soon after the traditional oil lamp lighting was over by distinguished invitees. At the same time, a brief progress report of the SLESA was also presented to the attendees, giving a glimpse of their outdoor projects and welfare measures.
The occasion saw the day’s Chief Guest pinning the Honorary Service Medal (Gavurawanwitha Seva Padakkama) on several SLESA veterans as one of the highlights of the day. Around the same time, a gathering of former veterans were awarded Life Membership (Yawajeewa Samajika) status amid applause.
The day’s Chief Guest in his brief talk to the occasion disclosed that arrangements are now in progress to get a permanent office space inside the Defence Headquarters complex established shortly with no cost to the state coffers. He also paid a glowing tribute to the memory of all fallen War Heroes and veterans and recalled noteworthy sacrifices they all have made in defence of the country and for durable peace. General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) also gifted a few copies of his books to the SLESA as memories of his attendance at the occasion.
The inaugural ceremony came to a close with the vote of thanks, proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Ajith Siyambalapitiya (Retd), Secretary to the SLESA. A large gathering of retired tri-service personnel including former tri-service Commanders took part in the anniversary celebration.
The SLESA, established in the year 1944 consists of about 45,000 tri-service personnel at present through 48 island-wide associations of armed forces, affiliated to the mother wing, the SLESA.
