Published on - 10/31/2005
WAR HEROES of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) who made the supreme sacrifice and also those who went missing during their sacred mission to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their Motherland were remembered on Sunday (23) at a glittering ceremony held at Ambepussa SLSR Regimental Headquarters (RHQ).
Hundreds of next of kin of dead and missing SLSR soldiers and many SLSR Officers and Other Ranks in that solemn and dignified ceremony joined hands together with others to bestow merits on fallen War Heroes and invoke blessings on those went missing in action while the war was at its peak.
Giving prominence to religious observances, the day's programme started after the arrival of Major General Sarath Fonseka, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army and Colonel of the Sinha Regiment. After inspecting the Guard Turn-out at the entrance to the RHQ, he paid homage to the fallen War Heroes placing a wreath at the foot of the SLSR Memorial erected in the RHQ premises in memory of its War Heroes. Major General (Retd) Daya Wijesinghe, first Colonel of the Regiment, SLSR Officers and Other Ranks, spouses of fallen Senior SLSR Officers and spouses of fallen Other Ranks followed suit. A senior Officer from the Ex-servicemen's Association also paid his respects to fallen fellow-soldiers after placing a wreath at the monument.
As the memorial ceremony got under way, it turned out to be a moving scene filled with sorrow and memories of those who were close to the hearts and minds of the loving ones. Next of kin of those heroes numbering over 3000 then stood up together to symbolically unfurl a Regimental flag in memory of each of their departed ones. The sea of colourful flags marked a fitting tribute to those who perished in defence of the Motherland.
Major General (Retd) Daya Wijesinghe in his address commended those memorial arrangements organized in honor of the fallen heroes since it was also a token of admiration of their services to the Nation. During religious observances of all four denominations, many loved ones were seen shedding tears as the touching religious rite, 'Penwedeema' commenced with recitals.
The opening of the newly built swimming pool at a cost of Rs 11 million at the Regimental Headquarters coincided with the day's ceremony. Major General Sarath Fonseka at the opening remarked that all the soldiers who were made totally disable or partly disable could now make use of this facility for their hydro therapeutic treatment. A whole night Pirith chanting the previous day culminated with an alms giving to Buddhist monks, the following day.
