Heroes of the Sri Lanka Air Force Honoured with Gallantry Medals
9:44pm on Thursday 29th August 2013
The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama awarded the remainder of medals for gallantry to 148 Heroes of the Sri Lanka Air Force who actively contributed to the success of humanitarian operations before May 2009, this evening (29th August 2013) during a fitting ceremony held at the Auditorium of Defence Services College in Colombo.
Two minutes’ silence was observed in honour of all Service Personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the motherland at the commencement of the ceremony. The medals awarded included three “Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” (WWV), twenty nine “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” (RWP) and one hundred sixteen “Rana Sura Padakkama” (RSP) medals which were conferred on personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
“Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” is conferred on an individual for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy, performed voluntarily whilst on active service without regard for his own security with the objective of safeguarding thereby, the lives of his comrades or facilitating the operational aim of his force or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a human nature of high order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of bodily injury or danger to the life of the rescuer. The “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” is awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery in the face of the enemy and performed voluntarily whilst the “Rana Sura Padakkama” is awarded as a reward for individual acts of distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy.
The event refreshed memories of the invaluable dedication, commitment and sacrifice, made by Heroes of the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operations in the North and East. His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksha at the inaugural investiture ceremony held at ‘Temple Trees’ on 18th May 2013 presented medals to a representative group of 216 personnel of the Armed forces. The awarding of Parama Weera Vibhushanaya for 19 recipients from Sri Lanka Army, 01 recipient from Sri Lanka Navy and 01 recipient from Sri Lanka Air Force were made even prior to this event at the 4th Victory Parade which was held on 18th May 2013.
The Chief Guest on the occasion where the SLAF honoured its Heroes this evening was the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke and members of the Air Force Board of Management were among the distinguished guests at the event. A large gathering of Officers, Airmen, spouses, children, parents and relatives of fallen War Heroes, disabled Heroes and several invitees also witnessed the ceremony.
List of Personnel
Two minutes’ silence was observed in honour of all Service Personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the motherland at the commencement of the ceremony. The medals awarded included three “Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” (WWV), twenty nine “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” (RWP) and one hundred sixteen “Rana Sura Padakkama” (RSP) medals which were conferred on personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
“Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” is conferred on an individual for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy, performed voluntarily whilst on active service without regard for his own security with the objective of safeguarding thereby, the lives of his comrades or facilitating the operational aim of his force or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a human nature of high order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of bodily injury or danger to the life of the rescuer. The “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” is awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery in the face of the enemy and performed voluntarily whilst the “Rana Sura Padakkama” is awarded as a reward for individual acts of distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy.
The event refreshed memories of the invaluable dedication, commitment and sacrifice, made by Heroes of the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operations in the North and East. His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksha at the inaugural investiture ceremony held at ‘Temple Trees’ on 18th May 2013 presented medals to a representative group of 216 personnel of the Armed forces. The awarding of Parama Weera Vibhushanaya for 19 recipients from Sri Lanka Army, 01 recipient from Sri Lanka Navy and 01 recipient from Sri Lanka Air Force were made even prior to this event at the 4th Victory Parade which was held on 18th May 2013.
The Chief Guest on the occasion where the SLAF honoured its Heroes this evening was the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke and members of the Air Force Board of Management were among the distinguished guests at the event. A large gathering of Officers, Airmen, spouses, children, parents and relatives of fallen War Heroes, disabled Heroes and several invitees also witnessed the ceremony.
List of Personnel
