War Hero Monument

PAST MEMORIES of the ancient grandeur were recalled with respect, as beats of Ranabera (drums) rent the air when the Nation stood in silence at the dawn of Saturday (7th June), the much-revered “War Heroes Day”. The national event was exclusively meant to pay tribute to brave soldiers of the tri-services (Army, Navy & Air Force) and the Police who continue to defend their motherland at the expense of their own lives. The D-Day is also dedicated to the memory of thousands of War Heroes who have laid their lives while in action or gone missing. This year’s main ceremony got underway at the Sri Jayawardenapura Parliament Ground this evening (7) where a special permanent War Hero monument, erected on behalf of them, was unveiled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. A distinguished gathering including VIPs, Prime Minister, Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders, Inspector General of the Police, diplomats, parliamentarians, senior military officers and invitees graced this main ceremony at Battaramulla Saturday (7) evening where a tri-service and Police parade was staged. The Army band provided the melody to the theme song on War Heroes after the President unveiled the plaque that speaks of the bravery of the Security Forces and the Police. The climax of the occasion followed with the opening of the Ranaviru Monument where names of all War Heroes, hitherto fought for the country remain inscribed. The Acting Chairman of Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) welcomed the President and other distinguished guests and invited the clergy to observe religious rites of all faiths. The ceremony concluded with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s speech to the Nation on the occasion during which he reminded that it is duty of everybody to pay their respect to fathers, mothers and wives of fallen heroes. President urged all to have a monument built in their hearts, similar to one that was unveiled today so that heroic names of our sons will remain in our hearts forever. The ceremony came to a close as tri-service and Police trumpeters heralded the Last Post. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the end of the event, stepped down to the gathering of parents, wives and relatives of the fallen heroes and spoke to them before leaving the venue. Island-wide regional commemorative ceremonies started on 1st June at the Mailapitiya National War Memorial park complex in the central Kandy hills where the major event was commemorated until 2007. On 2nd June RVSA with the support of grateful public marked the event at Anuradhapura War Memorial in the North Central Province. The Southern Province ceremony in the meantime took place on 3rd June at the Galle War Memorial in front of a large gathering. The one at Rathnapura War Memorial in Sabaragamuwa Province occurred on 5th June headed by provincial politicians and members of the public. The Kurunegala Welagedara War Memorial in the North Western Province had its commemoration on 4th June on a grand scale. In the Trincomalee District, the event was marked in the District Secretariat compound in the port city of Trincomalee. Likewise, the commemoration in the Uva Province took place in the heart of Badulla town on Friday (6) morning with the participation of clergy and many others. Patriotic general public are invited to light a coconut lamp today (June 7th) at their doorstep to pay their tribute to those who offer their today for the sake of our tomorrow.

This article has taken from.....
http://www.army.lk