SRI LANKA HOLDS THE 12TH NATIONAL WAR HERO’S COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
1:08pm on Thursday 20th May 2021
Yesterday (19 May 2021), Sri Lanka held the 12th National War Hero’s Commemoration Ceremony under the auspices 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 together with the Ministry of Defence organized a charm yet patriotic event to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice made by those in the Tri-Forces, Police and Civil Security Service in restoring lasting peace to our beloved motherland.
The National anthem was played soon after the arrival of His Excellency the President followed by a two minutes silence which was observed in honour of all those who made the supreme sacrifice. The welcome address was delivered by Mrs. Sonia Kottegoda, the Acting Chairperson of the Rana Viru Seva Authority. Following her address, the War Hero’s Commemoration Statement was declared.
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 from an eternally grateful nation.
The President, His Excellency 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 the Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry and the State Minister of Community Police Services, Hon. Dilum Amunugama, Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral (Retd) Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, the Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Minister of Public Security, Major General (Retd) Jagath Alwis, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana 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-Forces.
The National anthem was played soon after the arrival of His Excellency the President followed by a two minutes silence which was observed in honour of all those who made the supreme sacrifice. The welcome address was delivered by Mrs. Sonia Kottegoda, the Acting Chairperson of the Rana Viru Seva Authority. Following her address, the War Hero’s Commemoration Statement was declared.
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 from an eternally grateful nation.
The President, His Excellency 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 the Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry and the State Minister of Community Police Services, Hon. Dilum Amunugama, Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral (Retd) Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, the Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Minister of Public Security, Major General (Retd) Jagath Alwis, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana 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-Forces.
