A solemn and dignified ceremony that offered deep reverence to the memory of valour and gallantry of tri-service War Heroes who enabled all of us to live in peace, got underway Wednesday (20) evening at Battaramulla War Hero monument as the second principal segment of the 6th Ranaviru Commemorative ceremonies.
President Maithripala Sirisena, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as the Chief Guest attended the ceremony, showing his deep gratitude to the memory of fallen War Heroes.
Just a day after the main spectacle got underway at Matara with the Ranaviru Commemoration Parade, Wednesday’s (20) tribute at the War Hero monument, organized by Rana Viru Seva Authority, collected a gathering of more than 5000 children, spouses, next of kin of fallen War Heroes who paid their respect by name to their beloved ones.
Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Chief of Defence Staff, Navy and Air Force Commanders and Major General Jagath Dias, Chief of Staff, representing the Commander of the Army, were at Battaramulla Parliament ground awaiting the arrival of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena.
President Sirisena on arrival at the venue was warmly received by Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) and ushered him to the special dais.
President Sirisena afterwards received the salute of the troops and paid respect to the National Anthem. A two-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, was then observed before religious observances of all denominations, began.
Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by Tri-service and Police bands then began reverberating, symbolizing the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes of the Tri services as the ceremony, reached its peak.
Mrs Anoma Fonseka, inaugurating the formal commemorative ceremony as the Chairperson, RVSA, welcomed the Chief Guest and all the invitees in a brief speech.
Seconds after that, President Sirisena along with Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, FM, CDS and Service Chiefs in succession, walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths, in remembrance of all War Heroes of our times.
It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent monument lit up brilliantly, appeared to have immortalized their memory for the living to see and receive veneration.
Immediately after the President, beloved next of kin of fallen War Heroes, many with their sons and daughters, queued up wailing and recalling shared memories of yester year. They spoke in flowers and paid their respect to the memory of their beloved ones as they knelt down at the foot of the memorial.
They went on bursting into tears while laying bouquets of fragrant flowers, some holding and embracing their children. It was a solemn moment of memory, filled with emotions, but their death did not happen in vain, but for a worthy cause, a cause that does not have a price.
Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in military formality. Trumpeters of Tri-services and the Police joined together to play the melody. As dusk was falling, the Reveille sounded, marking the culmination of the formal ceremony which was attended by a distinguished gathering.
President Sirisena and distinguished invitees afterwards joined together and lit lanterns in front of the monument as a mark of respect to the War Heroes. The Aloka Pooja illuminated the entire complex giving eternity to the heroism, displayed by members of the Armed Forces and the Police during their battle over terrorism in different humanitarian operations that plagued this country for more than 30 years.
A brief speech to the occasion by President Maithripala Sirisena reminded us of the invaluable services of our fallen War Heroes.
President Sirisena added that those who laid their lives were the true patriots of our motherland for the greater benefit of our motherland. “They saved the country from pools of blood without thinking of their own lives. Those War Heroes are in our hearts forever”, President added.
Major General Mahinda Ambanpola, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Channa Goonetilleke, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, Major General Mano Perera, Director General Sports, Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Master General Ordnance and senior officers were also present at the ceremony.
President Maithripala Sirisena, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as the Chief Guest attended the ceremony, showing his deep gratitude to the memory of fallen War Heroes.
Just a day after the main spectacle got underway at Matara with the Ranaviru Commemoration Parade, Wednesday’s (20) tribute at the War Hero monument, organized by Rana Viru Seva Authority, collected a gathering of more than 5000 children, spouses, next of kin of fallen War Heroes who paid their respect by name to their beloved ones.
Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Chief of Defence Staff, Navy and Air Force Commanders and Major General Jagath Dias, Chief of Staff, representing the Commander of the Army, were at Battaramulla Parliament ground awaiting the arrival of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena.
President Sirisena on arrival at the venue was warmly received by Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) and ushered him to the special dais.
President Sirisena afterwards received the salute of the troops and paid respect to the National Anthem. A two-minute silence in memory of all War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, was then observed before religious observances of all denominations, began.
Rhythmic beats of traditional Rana Bera, including Hevisi, Purappattu, Magul Bera, Geta Bera, etc, presented by Tri-service and Police bands then began reverberating, symbolizing the bravery and courage, shown by departed War Heroes of the Tri services as the ceremony, reached its peak.
Mrs Anoma Fonseka, inaugurating the formal commemorative ceremony as the Chairperson, RVSA, welcomed the Chief Guest and all the invitees in a brief speech.
Seconds after that, President Sirisena along with Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, FM, CDS and Service Chiefs in succession, walked up to the cenotaph and laid floral wreaths, in remembrance of all War Heroes of our times.
It was a moment filled with grief, pain and loss, but the magnificent monument lit up brilliantly, appeared to have immortalized their memory for the living to see and receive veneration.
Immediately after the President, beloved next of kin of fallen War Heroes, many with their sons and daughters, queued up wailing and recalling shared memories of yester year. They spoke in flowers and paid their respect to the memory of their beloved ones as they knelt down at the foot of the memorial.
They went on bursting into tears while laying bouquets of fragrant flowers, some holding and embracing their children. It was a solemn moment of memory, filled with emotions, but their death did not happen in vain, but for a worthy cause, a cause that does not have a price.
Next, sounded the Last Post honouring their memory in military formality. Trumpeters of Tri-services and the Police joined together to play the melody. As dusk was falling, the Reveille sounded, marking the culmination of the formal ceremony which was attended by a distinguished gathering.
President Sirisena and distinguished invitees afterwards joined together and lit lanterns in front of the monument as a mark of respect to the War Heroes. The Aloka Pooja illuminated the entire complex giving eternity to the heroism, displayed by members of the Armed Forces and the Police during their battle over terrorism in different humanitarian operations that plagued this country for more than 30 years.
A brief speech to the occasion by President Maithripala Sirisena reminded us of the invaluable services of our fallen War Heroes.
President Sirisena added that those who laid their lives were the true patriots of our motherland for the greater benefit of our motherland. “They saved the country from pools of blood without thinking of their own lives. Those War Heroes are in our hearts forever”, President added.
Major General Mahinda Ambanpola, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Channa Goonetilleke, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, Major General Mano Perera, Director General Sports, Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Master General Ordnance and senior officers were also present at the ceremony.
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