Five hundred more War Heroes of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) whose unrelenting pursuit of humanitarian operations in the North and East against ruthless terrorists saw an end to the long dragged terrorism, were awarded ‘North-East Humanitarian Operation’ Medals during a special ceremony at VIR Regimental Centre, Boyagane Saturday (14).
A concurrent programme to transfer merits on fallen VIR War Heroes also got underway around the same time with the participation of next of kin of some 382 families of VIR War Heroes who sacrificed their lives or went missing. Those family members also had the chance of resolving their pending welfare issues at the same occasion under the special VIR programme initiated for that particular requirement and honoured their fallen ones by planting a medicinal herb each in the VIR run, ‘Suwapath Piyapath’ herbal garden.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces inaugurated the award of the same ‘North-East Humanitarian Operation Medal’ on 14th December 2010 where a representative 1000 War Heroes of the tri-services and the Police received this Medal at the initial stage. At that inaugural ceremony Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army received the first Medal on behalf of the Army.
This special award ceremony that recognizes valour and gallantry, displayed by those VIR War Heroes during their dedicated commitment in the North and East was graced by Major General R.V. Samarathunge, Colonel of the VIR Regiment as Chief Guest.
The day’s ceremony commenced soon after the arrival of the Chief Guest at the venue. He was conducted to the main stage in a colourful cultural pageant, comprised of upcountry dancing troupes. Recital of the Army song and the observance of a two-minute silence followed the formal proclamation on the day’s event and citations, attributed to award of those honouring Medals.
The next stage of the proceedings was momentous. Amidst sentimental melodies that resonated rhythms of patriotism, the occasion turned more dignified and called upon the first representative segment of senior officers and other ranks to receive their ‘North-East Humanitarian Operation Medal’ from the chief guest. The first batch of Medal recipients included several War Heroes confined to wheelchairs too.
Those Medals symbolically appreciate and recognize the most sacred bravery, commitment, dedication and invaluable sacrifices our War Heroes have made during the humanitarian operations in the North and East which finally brought durable peace to the country. The day’s ceremonies wound up as everybody stood up reciting the National anthem as a mark of respect to the motherland.
A concurrent programme to transfer merits on fallen VIR War Heroes also got underway around the same time with the participation of next of kin of some 382 families of VIR War Heroes who sacrificed their lives or went missing. Those family members also had the chance of resolving their pending welfare issues at the same occasion under the special VIR programme initiated for that particular requirement and honoured their fallen ones by planting a medicinal herb each in the VIR run, ‘Suwapath Piyapath’ herbal garden.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces inaugurated the award of the same ‘North-East Humanitarian Operation Medal’ on 14th December 2010 where a representative 1000 War Heroes of the tri-services and the Police received this Medal at the initial stage. At that inaugural ceremony Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army received the first Medal on behalf of the Army.
This special award ceremony that recognizes valour and gallantry, displayed by those VIR War Heroes during their dedicated commitment in the North and East was graced by Major General R.V. Samarathunge, Colonel of the VIR Regiment as Chief Guest.
The day’s ceremony commenced soon after the arrival of the Chief Guest at the venue. He was conducted to the main stage in a colourful cultural pageant, comprised of upcountry dancing troupes. Recital of the Army song and the observance of a two-minute silence followed the formal proclamation on the day’s event and citations, attributed to award of those honouring Medals.
The next stage of the proceedings was momentous. Amidst sentimental melodies that resonated rhythms of patriotism, the occasion turned more dignified and called upon the first representative segment of senior officers and other ranks to receive their ‘North-East Humanitarian Operation Medal’ from the chief guest. The first batch of Medal recipients included several War Heroes confined to wheelchairs too.
Those Medals symbolically appreciate and recognize the most sacred bravery, commitment, dedication and invaluable sacrifices our War Heroes have made during the humanitarian operations in the North and East which finally brought durable peace to the country. The day’s ceremonies wound up as everybody stood up reciting the National anthem as a mark of respect to the motherland.
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