18th November 2023 00:05:29 Hours
The military funeral of Colonel W.M.R Wijesundara (Rtd) RWP RSP psc of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) who had served the country for more than 23 years, took place Thursday (16) evening at Borella General Cemetery, amid a large gathering of his military comrades and other mourners.
Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, Security Forces - Jaffna Commander and Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry representing the Commander of the Army attended the funeral to pay last respects.
SLLI troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms near the entrance to the cemetery before being placed in the gun carriage having draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of Army soldiers formally received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the crematorium after all of them together with family members lined up behind the coffin.
The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commander of the Army was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a Military Officer could get in the event of his demise.
Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were carried to the crematorium.
Seconds later, Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc presented the bereaved family with decorations and medals Colonel W.M.R Wijesundara (Rtd) RWP RSP psc had earned during his illustrious career, a general tradition in the Armed Forces. Retired Senior Officers, serving Officers and mourners were also there to salute the late Officer as the dusk was falling.
Colonel W.M.R Wijesundara (Rtd) RWP RSP psc joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 03 July 1978 and received his Presidential commission on 23 January 1980 and was posted to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI).
