National War Hero’s Commemoration Ceremony 2020
10:01pm on Tuesday 19th May 2020
The proceedings of this year’s National War Hero’s Commemoration Ceremony commenced with the arrival of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Force, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Even with the prevailing condition in the country with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rana Viru Seva Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence organized a charm yet patriotic event today (19 May 2020) to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice made by those in the Tri-Force, Police in restoring lasting peace to our beloved motherland.
The National anthem was played soon after the arrival of His Excellency the President followed by the welcome address delivered by Major General (Retd) Nandana Senadheera, Chairman of the Rana Viru Seva Authority. A two minutes silence was observed in honour of all those who made the supreme sacrifice followed by religious observances. Thereafter, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made his National War Hero’s Commemoration Day Address.
Soon after the address by His Excellency President, 3 Bell 412 helicopters from the No 4 VIP Squadron at Ratmalana led by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Asela Kuruwita flew over the 90 Foot tall monument. The helicopters showered the monument grounds with flower petals signifying the start of presenting floral tributes to the fallen heroes of an eternally grateful nation.
Thereafter, His Excellency, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid his respects to the war heroes by placing a floral wreath in front of the Ranaviru Memorial Monument. He was followed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the President, Mr. PB Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias also placed floral wreaths in front of the Ranaviru Memorial Monument and paid their respects. A limited number of next of kin of fallen heroes also paid floral tributes to the Ranaviru Memorial Monument as well.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional final salute to the fallen with the playing of the “Last Post” and “Reveille” by buglers of the tri services.
The National anthem was played soon after the arrival of His Excellency the President followed by the welcome address delivered by Major General (Retd) Nandana Senadheera, Chairman of the Rana Viru Seva Authority. A two minutes silence was observed in honour of all those who made the supreme sacrifice followed by religious observances. Thereafter, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made his National War Hero’s Commemoration Day Address.
Soon after the address by His Excellency President, 3 Bell 412 helicopters from the No 4 VIP Squadron at Ratmalana led by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Asela Kuruwita flew over the 90 Foot tall monument. The helicopters showered the monument grounds with flower petals signifying the start of presenting floral tributes to the fallen heroes of an eternally grateful nation.
Thereafter, His Excellency, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid his respects to the war heroes by placing a floral wreath in front of the Ranaviru Memorial Monument. He was followed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the President, Mr. PB Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias also placed floral wreaths in front of the Ranaviru Memorial Monument and paid their respects. A limited number of next of kin of fallen heroes also paid floral tributes to the Ranaviru Memorial Monument as well.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional final salute to the fallen with the playing of the “Last Post” and “Reveille” by buglers of the tri services.
