Sri Lanka Army, the most-sought service provider and much-admired Defender of the Nation is 64 years old on October 10, 2013.
Founded in 1949 as ‘Ceylon Army’, but changed to be called the Sri Lanka Army in 1972 after Ceylon became a Republic, is one of the most respected, if not the most admired service provider of the country in the post-war scenario after its unmatched victorious achievements in the humanitarian operations that eradicated the scourge of terrorism in May 2009.
Stunning battlefield victories against the world’s most ruthless terrorists, having suffered for more than 30 long years, took the world by surprise since no other Army in our contemporary history had been that successful in eliminating terrorism from their respective lands, no matter how powerful they would be.
Today with its 25 Regiments, the Sri Lanka Army with its multi-faceted development-oriented nation-building roles, has emerged as the most effective and visibly result-oriented organization.
Under the auspices of HE the President and the able guidance of the Secretary Defence, the incumbent 20th Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, is determined and committed to continue its sacred roles uninterruptedly for the betterment of the Nation and the organization.
Thursday’s (10) elaborate Army Day ceremonies at CR & FC grounds that present a salute to the Commander of the Army comprise a parade, troops address, flag hoisting, tribute to the memory of fallen War Heroes, visit to the Mihindu Seth Medura and an all rank tea party.
As the precursor to the Army anniversary, a series of religious observances at Dalada Maligawa, Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Kataragama Kiri Vehera and Devalaya, Islamic, Hindu and Christian places of worship and service invoked blessings on the Army, beginning in the final week of September 2013.
