Colonel H.S Rathnayake Laid to Rest

The military funeral of Colonel H.S Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, who had served the country for more than 30 years, took place Saturday (4) afternoon at Mahaiyawa crematorium, amid a large gathering of his military comrades and other mourners.

Representing the Commander of the Army, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, Commander, Security Forces East who is also the Colonel of the Regiment, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, together with Major General Shane Gunawardena, Deputy Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force took part in the funeral arrangements.

Troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms near the entrance to the cemetery before being placed in the gun carriage and draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of Senior Officers formally, received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the crematorium after all of them together with family members lined up behind the coffin.

The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions, then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer could get in the event of his demise.

Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium.

Seconds after that, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, Colonel of the Regiment SLSR presented the bereaved family with decorations and medals.

Late Colonel H.S Ratnayake had earned several medals during his illustrious career and his funeral was organized under the direct supervision of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.

Here follows the Part 1 Order read out at the funeral;