The Nation pays tribute to those who protect our tomorrow in glittering ceremony

The Nation on Tuesday (30) witnessed the conferment of country's most prestigious Gallantry Awards on its 254 guardians of law and order in a colourful and august ceremony, attended by both first citizens of Sri Lanka, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Medals of Gallantry for 254 service personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, some of which were generally awarded posthumously, are the most distinguished and phenomenally significant honours in Sri Lanka conferred on service personnel in recognition of their heroic and valiant contributions to the Nation. Tears of happiness and pride as well as loss added the solemnities of the occasion as ceremonially-attired medal recipients paraded to the dais to receive their decorations.

This year's conferment of Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV) medal, the third highest gallantry decoration went to five heroes of the Sri Lanka Army and three heroes of the Sri Lanka Navy, out of which four were awarded posthumously to next of kin of these heroes. The Army's Major S.W. M Fernando RWP RSP (4 SLAC), Lance Corporal J. A Nawaratne (9 GW), and the posthumous award of medals to Captains E. A. N. B Silva (11GW), N. P. M Jayasinghe (1GR) and Lieutenant T. H Makelvi marked the awarding of the most distinguished laurels at this ceremony, held at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

Navy's Lieutenant Commander A. N Wijepura received the honours of WWV posthumously at this dignified ceremony along with Lieutenant C. P Arandesz and Leading Mechanical Engineer R. D. S Chandrakumara who remain discharged from duties.

Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) awarded to 43 Army, 15 Navy and 3 Air Force heroes by the President is also an important and recognized conferment on brave soldiers who have, in some instances, paid the supreme sacrifice on behalf of their motherland. Fifteen of these medals were awarded posthumously on the occasion while their next of kin burst into tears recollecting the cherished memories of their beloved ones. Maj. Gen A. E. D Wijendra RSP USP ndc psc and Maj. Gen S. Wanigasekara RWP RSP USP psc were also among the recipients of the medal RWP in recognition of their services to the country.

The investiture of the next gallantry award, Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), by the President was received by 120 Army soldiers, 50 Navy sailors and 15 Air Force heroes, of whom 37 were awarded these laurels posthumously. Two Navy heroes missing in action were also honoured with this title on the occasion.

The ceremony at BMICH rich with fanfare of trumpets, playing of Ranabera and rhythms of traditional music was a rare spectacle of colour, dignity and pageantry that befits this great occasion of the Nation. On arrival, President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Minister of Defence Tilak Marapana, Secretary Defence Austin Fernando, Secretaries to the President and Commanders of armed services and entourage were conducted in procession to the main hall where all invitees and recipients stood in reverence to the tunes of the National Anthem, played by the Tri service Band. Paying a tribute to the fallen heroes, the guests observed a two minutes' silence before reading of the Proclamations Conferring Decorations on the heroes of three armed forces in the country. The ceremony then reached its climax as names of these recipients were announced and laurels conferred while the gathering extended a big round of applause in recognition of their services to the Nation. A brief address by the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the occasion followed the refreshing melodies of “Danno Budunge” and “Peace to the Nation” offered by Tri Service Band before the “Last Post” was sounded marking the culmination of the day's proceedings.

The Commander of the Army Lt.Gen L. P Balagalle RWP RSP VSV USP ndc IG, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal G. Donald Perera VSV USP ndc psc, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri VSV USP ndc rcds psc MSc(DS) Fimgt and a host of distinguished invitees were present on the occasion.

Corporal Gamini Kularatne, popularly known as Hasalaka Hero was the first recipient of the highest Gallantry Award, Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) in appreciation of his dedication and supreme sacrifice in 1991 defending the garrison at Elephant Pass.