Sri Lanka Army, the much-respected and admired saviour of the Nation and now, the most-sought service provider of the country, marked its 64th Anniversary and Army Day on Thursday (10) morning, during a colourful parade at CR & FC ground, Colombo 7.
The series of anniversary ceremonies that began in the final week of September, giving pride of place to religious observances at Sri Dalada Maligawa, Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Kirivehera, Kataragma Devalaya, Dawatagaha Mosque, Maradana Hindu Temple and All Saints Church, reached its apex today (10), graced by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake as the Chief Guest.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake on arrival at the premises was warmly received by Chief of Staff and Adjutant General of the Army and invited to review the Guard Turn-Out, accorded in his honour, as the stage was set to witness the day’s great event.
Seconds later, the day’s Chief Guest symbolizing the official inauguration of the day’s agenda, hoisted the Army Flag as everyone rose to their feet.
Next, the Army Song ‘Sagarayen Wata - Me Mage Mauv Rata ….. Rakimu Sadaa’ rent the air adding grandeur and patriotic sentiments to the occasion.
The next moment on the itinerary was solemn and dignified since memories would never fade, as they say. All gathered afterwards revered the memory of fallen War Heroes in a solemn and dignified one-minute silence as the next item in the agenda.
The ceremonial parade with Regimental Colours, presented to the Commander with fluttering Regimental flags, holding aloft and melodic rhythms of patriotic songs reverberating behind, drew the attention of all the invitees as everyone stood saluting.
The much-awaited moment of significance on the day’s itinerary, followed, next as the Commander rose to his feet with his customary speech, in which he paid a glowing tribute to the troops for their dedicated work. He praised the soldiers who were braving light showers at that point of time remarking that our soldiers by doing so, tell the world aloud that they are capable of withstanding any challenge whatsoever.
He said that the Army, now as the pioneer in the ‘war for development’ would achieve the country’s objective of becoming the ‘Wonder of Asia’ since our troops are fully-fledged and professional. (See full speech in News Highlights)
Afterwards, the Commander did not forget to share a couple of thoughts with a cross-section of retired senior Army officers and other invitees who were attending the occasion during refreshments after the day’s main ceremony was over.
A representative gathering of past Commanders, retired senior officers and their spouses, principal staff officers, senior officers, spouses and other ranks also took part in the ceremony.
Later on, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake and senior officers, visited the inmates at Attidiya Mihindu Seth Medura, wellness resort where some 50 dependant War Heroes are receiving therapeutic treatment for the rest of their lives.
Befitting the occasion, the Commander and accompanying visitors spoke to the inmates at Mihindu Seth Medura and gave away gift parcels, brought with them. The project, the brainchild of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development was built by the Ministry of Defence and its management was later transferred to the Army in view of Army’s efficiency in running places of this nature.
As the final segment of the day’s programme, the Commander was to take part in an all rank tea party, organized at the Army Headquarters, plus an all rank dinner at Panagoda Army Cantonment, the next day.
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