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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Invaluable War Hero Sacrifices Saluted Paying Glowing Tribute in Victory Day Parade


The 5th National Victory Day Parade, the glowing tribute to the unflagging courage and dignity of the Armed Forces, Civil Security Department and the Police who crushed terrorism exactly five years ago and set the country back on track for development, got underway at Matara this morning (18), amid a large gathering of distinguished guests, headed by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

This year’s parade, comprised of 649 officers and 7562 Other Ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Security Department and the Police, was commanded by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe. Brigadier Nissanka Ranawana served as the Parade’s Second in Command. Two more Navy and Air Force senior officers commanded Navy and Air Force components in the parade respectively.

Hoisting of the National Flag by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Singing of the National Anthem to the melody of the tri-service band, One-minute silence in honour of fallen War Heroes and all patriots, President Salute and Guard of Honour, 21 Gun Salute to the President, President’s address to the Nation, Victory Parade with mechanized vehicles, Navy Sail Past, Air Force Fly Past, Police and Civil Security Department march and Parachute Display, coloured the Day’s spectacle, witnessed by a large gathering of diplomats, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, state officials,  invitees and members of the public.

The grandeur of this year’s march past with display of tri-service mechanized columns, naval fleet in the opposite seas and Air Force fighting craft in the skies became further prominent in separate ceremonial, combat and mechanized columns that went past, saluting the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at the special dais.

The representative 649 officers and 7562 Other Ranks, who decisively fought at the expense of their precious lives in the North (Jaffna column), Wanni (center, western and eastern columns) and Eastern Humanitarian Operations (eastern column) with their respective Commanding officers proudly, displayed their unflinching determination, continuing dedication and sheer commitment to the defence of the motherland and her march to development.

Sri Lankan War Heroes, who added a new global dimension to the myth that terrorism could not be wiped out militarily, are now fully committed to the daunting task of rebuilding the Nation while rekindling hopes for harmony, co-existence and reconciliation.

All those attending the day’s mammoth commemoration robbed the spectacle as a representative gathering of disable tri-service and Police War Heroes in the parade, went past by prompting all those seated to rise up from their chairs as a token of respect to them.

Over 100 tri-service armour tanks, artillery guns, mine clearing equipment of Army engineers, signal items, sniffing and combat dogs of the Army, together with other vehicles, attracted the attention of everybody present at the gathering. Over 50 naval craft at sea sailed past at Matara Southern seas and the Air Force showcased their skills with over 30 aircraft, flying past in the skies.

The day’s itinerary began sharp at 7.30 in the morning. The stage was set for the spectacular and mammoth show of the day as the Inspector General of the Police, Commander of the Air Force, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Secretary Defence and Urban Development and his spouse, Secretary to the President, Chief Justice, Speaker and his spouse, arrived at the venue in succession and were welcomed warmly by designated officers of the Police, Air Force, Navy and Army, before the Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was received by the Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Chiefs and the IGP. All of them greeted the Speaker afterwards as scheduled.

Hon. D.M. Jayaratne, Prime Minister reached the venue thereafter to the welcome of the Secretary Defence, CDS and Tri-service Commanders as the programme started off.       

Seconds after that, the arrival of His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, together with the First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was heralded as members of the Army cultural troupe commenced blowing traditional trumpets.

Prime Minister, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders and the IGP upon receipt of both the President Rajapaksa and the First Lady, conducted the President to hoist the National Flag, for inauguration of the day’s proceedings.

Blowing of traditional conch shells, amidst beating of auspicious drums (Magul Bera) signalled the formal commencement of the day’s event after flag hoisting. Lined up Tri service, Police and Civil Security Department members afterwards, recited the National Anthem and paid the Nation’s tribute, giving pride of place to the country.

The next moment was solemn and dignified as the mammoth gathering rose to feet, paying their respect to the memory of all fallen War Heroes by way of a one-minute silence.

The gesture of silence took all present at the occasion down on the memory lane and recalled invaluable sacrifices of those War Heroes who dedicated their today for our tomorrow.

The ceremony turned more dignified as the clock struck 8.15 a.m. The military ceremony got off the ground with the Presidential Salute, to be followed by the 21 Gun Salute, awarded to the President while all invitees remained standing.

President Rajapaksa later on atop a special open jeep along with the Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders and the overall parade Commander Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, went to inspect the parade troops, lined up at Samudra Mawatha after the overall parade Commander reported to the President.    

The triumphant mood of the Nation’s hard-fought victory over LTTE terrorism reached its zenith as President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest on the occasion, began to address the Nation.

The grandeur of the March Past, presented by Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Security Department War Heroes as well as the display of mechanized columns, support weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, sophisticated missiles of the tri-services and the Police, added more prominence to the day’s event.

Of them, Army de-miners, signallers, veterinary unit with sniffing dogs, artillery, mechanized infantry, engineer equipment and other armed units of the Navy and Air Force who stood a tower of strength to those fighting troops, drew the attention of the gathering as it provided a new spectacle that caused interest and curiosity. The mechanized column parade and the parachute show also robbed the attention as the day’s programme was drawing to a close.

Presentation of the salute by wheel-chair ridden War Heroes, sustained injuries in the battlefields, needless to mention, touched heart and soul of all those present on the occasion. They received an overwhelming standing ovation on the occasion as they went past the main dais and the invitees.

Navy and Air Force displays in the seas and air across the Matara Town offered the most thrilling experience with tri-service parachutists descending from a height of about 6000 feet as rhythmic beats began rending the air with soothing melodies.