War Heroes Commemorating Ceremony 2011
8:40pm on Saturday 2nd July 2011
Today the SLAF paid tribute to all Officers and men killed in action throughout the three decade long conflict at a simple ceremony attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
The Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, all members of the Air Force Board of Management, senior officers and a cross section of the other ranks attended the ceremony which was held at the Sri Lanka Air force War Heroes Monument at SLAF Base Ratmalana.
The Commander laid the first wreath and was followed by the Chief of Staff. Subsequently personnel of different ranks, representing all the ranks and the civillians of the Air Force significant who laid down their lives to safeguard the mother land against terrorism, laid wreaths at the foot of the monument. Of special significance was the laying of a wreath by an NCO disabled in battle in memory of his colleagues who were not so fortunate as he was. Spouses and children of the SLAF war heroes also joined in the tribute by laying wreaths and flowers at the monument.
July is the War Heroes Commemoration month in the SLAF. A series of religious activities aimed at bestowing merit on these heroes and with a view to keeping their memories alive, will take place during the course of this month.
The inaugural religious ceremony will be an all night Pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving which is scheduled to take place tonight (02nd July 2011) and tomorrow morning at Air Force Headquarters. Further during this month various religious activities representing all religions has been arranged to pay tribute to those who ‘gave their today for our tomorrow’.
The Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, all members of the Air Force Board of Management, senior officers and a cross section of the other ranks attended the ceremony which was held at the Sri Lanka Air force War Heroes Monument at SLAF Base Ratmalana.
The Commander laid the first wreath and was followed by the Chief of Staff. Subsequently personnel of different ranks, representing all the ranks and the civillians of the Air Force significant who laid down their lives to safeguard the mother land against terrorism, laid wreaths at the foot of the monument. Of special significance was the laying of a wreath by an NCO disabled in battle in memory of his colleagues who were not so fortunate as he was. Spouses and children of the SLAF war heroes also joined in the tribute by laying wreaths and flowers at the monument.
July is the War Heroes Commemoration month in the SLAF. A series of religious activities aimed at bestowing merit on these heroes and with a view to keeping their memories alive, will take place during the course of this month.
The inaugural religious ceremony will be an all night Pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving which is scheduled to take place tonight (02nd July 2011) and tomorrow morning at Air Force Headquarters. Further during this month various religious activities representing all religions has been arranged to pay tribute to those who ‘gave their today for our tomorrow’.
