Thirteenth death anniversary held at his statueGEN RANJAN WIJERATNE REMEMBERED

Late General Ranjan Wijeratne's thirteenth death anniversary commemoration, organized by Ranjan Wijeratne Commemorative Foundation before his statue at Thimbirigasyaya took place on Tuesday (2 March 2004) amidst a distinguished gathering of grateful men and women, including Minster of Power Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General L.P.Balagalle, Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Gunawardene, Navy and Air Force Commanders.

Gen. Wijeratne was the State Minister of Defence and also has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Plantations and plantation industry during late 1980s and early 1990s. Likewise, the commemorative ceremony was graced by next of kin of security personnel/soldiers who perished in the LTTE bomb blast along with Gen Wijeratne.

Religious rites performed by members of the Sangha preceded the commencement of this ceremony attended by a large number of members of the armed services including those of the Special Task Force (STF). Buglers of the Sri Lanka Army after soldiers fell in into four platoons brought all participants to attention with their blowing of the Last Post in Gen. Ranjan Wijeratne's memory.

Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Gunawardene garlanded Gen. Ranjan Wijeratne's statue while Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Lt Gen Balagalle, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Air Marshal Donald Perera, Mrs. Ranjan Wijeratne and his son paid floral tributes to this great man of political and military eminence.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Goonawardene, Major General Ananda Weerasekara and a few others addressed the gathering.