At the invitation of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development as the Chief Guest, unveiled the new ‘Ranaviru’ Monument at Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane and dedicated it to the eternal memory of all those VIR fallen War Heroes during a simple ceremony on Saturday (3).
The Chief Guest on arrival was welcomed by the son of a fallen VIR War Hero, dressed in symbolic military attire and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya before he was ushered to the venue in the company of Major General R. V Samaratunga, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR before proceedings commenced.
As the solemn and dignified ceremony reached its peak, Mr Rajapaksa was invited to unveil the monument. Secretary Defence, sharing the importance of the occasion then invited the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the architect, Mr Ranga Dayaratne and Lion G.R.K.C Balasooriya, a sponsor to join together to unveil the commemorative plaque.
Seconds after the symbolic plaque was uncovered, Secretary Defence paid tribute to the memory of fallen VIR heroes by placing a floral wreath at the monument. Grieving spouses, parents and children of VIR War Hero families followed suit soon after and showed their respect to the memory of their beloved ones.
Records confirm 135 VIR officers and 2915 VIR other ranks during the 30-year long bitter fighting against terrorism laid their lives for the sake of the territorial integrity of the country.
VIR Colonel of the Regiment thanking all those who contributed to the construction of the monument delivered the welcome address.
Speaking at the ceremony Secretary Defence reminded that His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, is ever grateful to the services and sacrifices of fallen war heroes, military personnel and their families, and is always committed to the provision of welfare to them.
Mr Rajapaksa cited the series of welfare measures, so far taken, including housing projects, educational projects for the children of service personnel, vocational training programmes, granting of loans and three wheelers and construction of lifetime healing homes, ‘Abimansala’ and ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ for permanently dependent service personnel. He also told the gathering about the monthly allowance scheme for the parents of service personnel.
He further noted that the President has always acted to maintain the prestige of the service personnel and their families and has a high regard for them which is amply evident by his preference for retired military personnel for posts in diplomatic missions.
A large number of guests including senior military officers, military personnel and family members of the fallen heroes were present at the occasion.
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was named after one of Sri Lanka's greatest rulers, King Vijayabahu I who ruled Sri Lanka from 1055 AD to 1110 AD. This iconic king also, known as Keerthi Kumaraya was a brave and intelligent patriot who governed the country under one rule. The VIR was formed, in order to enhance service requirements and strengthen the capabilities of Sri Lanka Army at Sinhawilluwatta, Puttalam on 22 March 1990.
Due to operational requirements, it was later moved to the current site in Boyagane in Kurunegala on 23rd April 1993. There are 27 Battalions under command to the Regiment as at present.
The first battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established in 1988. There are 17 Regular Battalions, 9 Volunteer Battalions and a Headquarter battalion as of today.
Operating under the motto "What - cannot they bear, those who are adept and well versed in their arts and crafts and professions"- the VIR was at the forefront in the fight against terrorism. It has sent several contingents on foreign peace-keeping missions, including Lebanon and Haiti.
The Chief Guest on arrival was welcomed by the son of a fallen VIR War Hero, dressed in symbolic military attire and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya before he was ushered to the venue in the company of Major General R. V Samaratunga, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR before proceedings commenced.
As the solemn and dignified ceremony reached its peak, Mr Rajapaksa was invited to unveil the monument. Secretary Defence, sharing the importance of the occasion then invited the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the architect, Mr Ranga Dayaratne and Lion G.R.K.C Balasooriya, a sponsor to join together to unveil the commemorative plaque.
Seconds after the symbolic plaque was uncovered, Secretary Defence paid tribute to the memory of fallen VIR heroes by placing a floral wreath at the monument. Grieving spouses, parents and children of VIR War Hero families followed suit soon after and showed their respect to the memory of their beloved ones.
Records confirm 135 VIR officers and 2915 VIR other ranks during the 30-year long bitter fighting against terrorism laid their lives for the sake of the territorial integrity of the country.
VIR Colonel of the Regiment thanking all those who contributed to the construction of the monument delivered the welcome address.
Speaking at the ceremony Secretary Defence reminded that His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, is ever grateful to the services and sacrifices of fallen war heroes, military personnel and their families, and is always committed to the provision of welfare to them.
Mr Rajapaksa cited the series of welfare measures, so far taken, including housing projects, educational projects for the children of service personnel, vocational training programmes, granting of loans and three wheelers and construction of lifetime healing homes, ‘Abimansala’ and ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ for permanently dependent service personnel. He also told the gathering about the monthly allowance scheme for the parents of service personnel.
He further noted that the President has always acted to maintain the prestige of the service personnel and their families and has a high regard for them which is amply evident by his preference for retired military personnel for posts in diplomatic missions.
A large number of guests including senior military officers, military personnel and family members of the fallen heroes were present at the occasion.
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was named after one of Sri Lanka's greatest rulers, King Vijayabahu I who ruled Sri Lanka from 1055 AD to 1110 AD. This iconic king also, known as Keerthi Kumaraya was a brave and intelligent patriot who governed the country under one rule. The VIR was formed, in order to enhance service requirements and strengthen the capabilities of Sri Lanka Army at Sinhawilluwatta, Puttalam on 22 March 1990.
Due to operational requirements, it was later moved to the current site in Boyagane in Kurunegala on 23rd April 1993. There are 27 Battalions under command to the Regiment as at present.
The first battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established in 1988. There are 17 Regular Battalions, 9 Volunteer Battalions and a Headquarter battalion as of today.
Operating under the motto "What - cannot they bear, those who are adept and well versed in their arts and crafts and professions"- the VIR was at the forefront in the fight against terrorism. It has sent several contingents on foreign peace-keeping missions, including Lebanon and Haiti.
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