National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony held at War Heroes Monument in Viharamadevi Park

The National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony was held at the War Heroes Monument in Viharamadevi Park under the patronage of the Secretary Defence General (Rted.) Shantha Kottegoda, on 10^th November 2019. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva was also present on the occasion.

This year’s ceremony was organized by the Ranaviru Seva Authority under the auspices of Ministry of Defence. The Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegoonaratne, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Retired Tri Forces Commanders, retired senior officers and other rankers and host of officers and other rates representing tri forces were present on this occasion.

Two minutes silence was observed to remember the fallen war heroes and the Mahasangha fulfilling religious observances bestowed merits upon fallen heroes and blessed for good health of disabled heroes.Thereafter, the Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Forces Commanders, loved ones of fallen war heroes offered floral tributes at the War Heroes Monument in memory of the supreme sacrifice made by the fallen service personnel.

At both sun rise and sun set, commemorating the comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice for sovereignty of our motherland the ceremony saw the end with a parade followed by a traditional bugle play.

In paralleled to the main ceremony, series of war hero commemoration ceremonies were conducted at Naval Headquarters and in other Naval commands. Large number of Officers and sailors representing all naval ships, deployments and establishments participated in these commemoration events.