16th National War Heroes' Day Commemoration

The 16th commemoration of National War Heroes’ Day was held on 19 May 2025 at the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla. His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

During the ceremony, revered memories of fallen War Heroes from the Tri-Forces and Civil Security Department personnel, who made the supreme sacrifice in the fight against ruthless LTTE terrorism before May 2009, were respectfully remembered for their valour, gallantry, selfless dedication and invaluable sacrifices, through floral tributes.

A host of dignitaries and war veterans, including members of the clergy, beloved spouses and relatives of fallen War Heroes, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Army, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commander of the Navy, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, Commander of the Air Force, the Inspector General of Police (Acting), the Director General of Civil Security Department, former Tri-Forces Commanders, the Chairman of Ranaviru Seva Authority, Tri-Service Veterans, and Senior Officers assembled to salute the memory of those brave ones.

This solemn ceremony organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority featured the recital of the National Anthem, religious observances, vigil mounting, a two-minute silence in honour of the fallen War Heroes, the reading of the citation for bravery, playing of ‘Rana Bera,’ floral tributes, the sounding of the Last Post, Reveille and vigil dismounting.

Adding significance to the day, all the distinguished invitees joined the representative gathering of next of kin of all fallen War Heroes to offer floral tributes to the monument, marking the climax of the day’s commemorative event.

As dusk fell, the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille in accordance with military traditions concluded the formal ceremony.

(Photo Courtesy: www.presidentsoffice.gov.lk)