17th September 2020 22:53:44 Hours
One of the oldest and reputed regiments in the Army, Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA), celebrating its 132 years of service to the Nation, commemorated its unforgettable fallen War Heroes on Thursday (17) during a solemn ceremony, held at the SLA Regiment’s War Heroes' Memorial at the Regimental Centre, Panagoda.
Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), attaching due regard to SLA's invaluable sacrifices graced the commemorative occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Major General Ruwan Wanigasooryia, Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
A Guard Turnout at the entrance to the Panagoda Regimental HQ saluted him in accordance with military formalities before he was received by the Colonel Commandant, SLA Regiment.
After the National anthem, the Army song and the Regimental song rent the air respectively, the solemn ceremony got to a formal start, giving pride of place to religious observances of all faiths. Next, vigilant guards took their positions around the SLA monument in line with military formalities as the gathering observed a two-minute silence before reading of the commemorative citation that refreshed heroic memories before the gathering.
The day's silent commemoration, one of the main segments of the chain of scheduled 132nd anniversary programmes reached its peak as the day's Chief Guest inched his way to the SLA Monument. Placing a floral wreath, he paid tribute and saluted their memory. Colonel Commandant, Senior Officers and family members of fallen War Heroes followed suit and refreshed brave memories as all eyes remained glued towards the memorial.
Signalling the culmination, Last Post and Reveille sounded afterwards implying that those great men and women have joined the majority and gone to eternal rest as vigilant guards began withdrawing.
Retired and serving Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Artillery, Officers, family members of fallen SLA war heroes and other ranks participated in the event. Asics footwear | Nike Shoes
