War Heroes of Our Times recognized and remembered at Ranaviru Memorial Park

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge as Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse paying a glittering tribute to War Heroes of the Armed Forces and the Police in the state function at Mailapitiya Rana Viru Memorial Park, Tuesday to coincide with the National War Heroes Day (June 07) assured that she would not betray the Motherland, and instead protect it even at the risk of her own life.

As Fanfare of trumpets sounded the arrival of the Chief Guest, Her Excellency, the President to the venue, to be followed by beating of Magul Bera (auspicious drums) by Army cultural troops. Hon Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse received the President on arrival at the site. She was later escorted to the monument erected in the middle of the premises to pay her tribute to the fallen heroes on behalf of the Nation placing a wreath. Hon Prime Minister together with Ministers, Parliamentarians, Commanders of the Armed Forces and other distinguished invitees followed suit and saluted those War Heroes with floral wreaths.

Her Excellency, the President then went on to plant a Na sapling, national tree of the country in the premises, near the War Heroes Monument to symbolize her visit to the venue. Welcome speech made by Major General (Retd) Neil Dias, President, Ranaviru Seva Authority which was the livewire behind all arrangements followed observance of a two-minute silence in the name of those who sacrificed their precious lives for the motherland's sake.

As Ranaviru theme song, penned by veteran lyrics writer Rathna Sri Wijesinghe rent the air afterwards, everybody including those next of kin of the fallen heroes, appeared rather shaken and emotionally moving as memories of their beloved ones touched them.

Religious observances, identical to most of the last rites of different faiths were next on the agenda as all clasped their hands in reverence. Buddhist rites were performed by Rev. Prof. Warakawe Dhammaloka Thero of the Asgiriya Temple, followed by a brief sermon. Rev Fr Milroy Fernando, Rev Maulavi M.H.M. Rafi and Rev Krishnamoorthy of the Christian, Islamic and Hindu denominations conducted those rites respectively.

Launching of the book “Mauvbima Ahimiva,” authored to mark the event won the award for the Best Novel in the Ranaviru Literary Competition that was held earlier. Release of Ranaviru Wansaya and Ranaviru Parapura, accounts of heroic deeds of those fallen heroes after 1948 with a chronological documentation of their lives and acts in our times were amongst the other events which added grandeur to the day's events. Popular vocalist, Dayan Vitharane, sang the moving “Ranaviru Gee Kusuma”, prior to the commencement of Ranaviru flag week (June 7-14) after the first flag was pinned on the President and next of kins of those War Heroes. Children of those heroes were also seen excitedly receiving those flags from the President.

The first copy of the “Ranaviru Wansaya” was presented to the President by Major General (retd) Neil Dias and subsequently handed over to the Department of National Archives for conservation and future references. “ Ranaviru Parapura ”, the lineage of War Heroes, written by Senior Lecturer, Kamal Maleboda with his university students was also presented to the President on the occasion by Prof Thilak Hettiarachchi.

All Governors and Service Chiefs and the IGP received first samples of the Ranaviru flags inaugurating the flag week. President hailed Major Gen (retd) Neil Dias and W.J.S. Karunarathne, Secretary of the Ranaviru Seva Authority for their contribution towards the Nation and measures taken for the welfare of nearly 33,000 Ranaviru families in the country. Mr Sarath Chandrasiri , Chief Executive Officer also addressed the gathering.

President afterwards lit the Ranaviru lamp in their memory in the company of thousands of next. of kin who also joined her. Maj Gen Sarath Fonseka, Army Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral D.S.M. Wijewickrama, Navy Chief of Staff representing the Commander of Navy and a large number of high ranking Senior Officers were in attendance.