“Remembrance Day” at War Memorial recalls cherished memories

The “Remembrance Day Service and Parade,” an annual event that brings the memories of fallen War Heroes closer to the hearts of vast multitudes of grateful people with a red-coloured Poppy flower worn on their chests, got under way at Vihara Maha Devi Park on Sunday (13), attended by a large gathering of Parliamentarians, Diplomatic Corps, Service Chiefs, Senior officers of three Armed Forces, Members of the Ex-servicemen's Association, next of kin of War Heroes, Representatives of the Disabled and other dignitaries.

They all joined hands together to pay tribute to their fallen military leaders, comrades and beloved ones during World Wars and in the War against Separation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Rathnasiri Wickremanayake, Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana, Public Security and Law and Order and Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Prasanna Gunawardane, Mayor of Colombo, Major General (Retd) T. Paranagama, President, of Sri Lanka Ex servicemen's Association, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General S.H.S. Kottegoda, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal G. Donald Perera, next of kin of fallen war heroes and veterans and many other invitees joined the occasion to mark the event.

After the troops were brought to attention by Parade Commander, the two-minute silence, coupled with the sounding of the Last Post by buglers of the Army followed. Minutes after reading of the Ode by President SLESA, troops rose to their feet as the National anthem was on. As Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic religious services taking the centre stage, preparations to place floral wreaths at the cenotaph got under way.

Hon Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Mayor P. Gunawardene, President SLESA, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Army Commander Lt. Gen S.H.S. Kottegoda, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal G.D. Perera, diplomatic corps, war veterans, members of Merchant Navy and several senior ex-servicemen followed in line to lay wreaths at the cenotaph.

The day's ceremony culminated in a March Past of Troops led by members of the Sri Lanka Army Band after according a salute to the cenotaph.