Sri Lanka: Nation Pays Tribute to War Heroes

The national war heroes commemoration ceremony was held at the Ranawiru Monument at the Parliamentary Grounds in Battaramulla on 18th May 2013. On behalf of the nation, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid floral tribute in honour of the war heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland.

A two-minute silence was observed and religious blessings were invoked on the war heroes in gratitude to the sacrifices they had made for the nation.

It was followed by the Prime Minister, DM Jayaratna, governors, members of the parliament and ministers led by Senior Minister, Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Presidents Secretary, Lalith Weerathunga, Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama , IGP of police, NK Illangakoon, Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Mrs. Padma Wettewa and the close relations of the war heroes.

The event concluded with the Last Post being sung in tribute to the war heroes as the commemorative flame was lit while the children of the war heroes paid their tribute holding lit candles in memory of their beloved fathers and mothers.

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Press Release, May 20, 2013