HIS EXCELLENCY, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, officially inaugurating the ‘War Heroes Week’ (May 11 - 20), precursor to this year’s final National Victory Day (20) ceremony, received the first commemorative Ranaviru Flag at Temple Trees on Tuesday (11) in the presence of Ministers, Secretary Defence, Provincial Governors, Provincial Secretaries, Ranaviru Seva Authority officials, senior tri-service officers and a host of other invitees.
The Government after declaring May 18 as the National Victory Day has decided to commemorate the supreme sacrifices made by War Heroes throughout the week beginning May 11. However, the grand culminating National Victory Day for this year will be held on May 20 at Galle Face greens, giving pride of place to military spectacles.
With Tuesday’s commencement of the flag sale, a series of provincial commemorative ceremonies got underway Wednesday (12) morning with the participation of Governors and Secretaries. National Flag hoisting ceremonies, observance of a two minute silence, provision of assistance to War Hero families and disable War Heroes, construction of new houses for War Heroes, donation of school books and stationery to War Hero children, etc. In addition, a series of ceremonies in the Central, Uva, North, East, Wayamba, South, North Central and Sabaragamuwa will continue up to May 19, 2010.
War Hero, Sergeant B.S. Chandrasiri’s son, B.C. Waruna Rashminda (9) pinned the first Ranaviru Flag on President Rajapaksa during the ceremony where the President handed over stocks of Ranaviru Flags to respective Governors for distribution among civilians in those regions.
On the same occasion, funds collected by Ranaviru Seva Authority on sale of Ranaviru Flags last year were also delivered to Presdent Rajapaksa to be used for welfare of War Hero families and disable War Heroes.
Soon after the National Victory Day celebrations at Galle Face, service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, STF Commandant, Civil Defence Force, parents and members of War Hero families are expected to lay floral wreaths at the War Hero memorial at Parliament Ground later in the afternoon on National Victory Day.
A mammoth Pirith pinkama plus an alms giving to over 3000 monks at BMICH will culminate the commemorative ceremonies on May 22. The event has been organized by Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Pinkama is to commemorate the great salvation of the Nation from grips of terrorism and to transfer merits on fallen War Heroes and invoke blessings on recuperating War Heroes and the country at large.
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(Photo courtesy: President’s Media Unit)
