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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Memory of War Heroes Revered at Cenotaph as National Victory Day Anniversary Events Culminate

VALOR and gallantry of War Heroes of the Tri-services and the Police received a deep reverence at the cenotaph at Battaramulla Parliament ground on Friday (18) afternoon as the second leg of the National Victory Day anniversary ceremonies.

Just a couple of hours after the day’s main ceremony at Galle Face Green was over, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Navy Commander, Army Commander, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Air Force Commander, Secretary Defence, Secretary to the President, Speaker and Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne were at Battaramulla Parliament ground to receive HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was scheduled to grace the occasion as Chief Guest.

President Rajapaksa on arrival at the venue was warmly received by Mrs P.B Wettewa, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA).

After the Chief Guest was conducted to the special dais, President Rajapaksa received the salute of the troops and paid respect to the National anthem. A two-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland was then observed before religious observances of all denominations got underway. Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by Tri-service and Police bands reverberated, symbolizing the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes. It was also a tribute paid in memory of them as was the case during the times of our kings.

Mrs Wettewa, inaugurating the formal commemorative meeting as Chairperson, RVSA welcomed the Chief Guest and all the invitees.

Seconds after that, President Rajapaksa along with Prime Minster, Speaker, Secretary Defence, CDS, Army and Navy Commanders and the IGP walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths, in remembrance of fallen War Heroes of our times. It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent cenotaph appeared to have immortalized their memory for the living to see. Immediately after the President, beloved next of kin of fallen War Heroes paid their respect. They knelt down at the foot of the monument and went on shedding tears while laying bouquets of fragrant flowers. It was a solemn moment of memory.

Then followed military traditions as the Last Post honouring their memory was heralded by trumpeters of Tri-services and the Police. Towards the final leg of the programme, The Reveille sounded marking the culmination of the formal ceremony. President Rajapaksa and distinguished invitees afterwards lit lanterns in front of the monument as a mark of respect to the War Heroes. The Aloka Pooja illuminated the entire complex giving eternity to the heroism, displayed by members of the Armed Forces and the Police during the humanitarian operations.