Army Celebrates 57th Anniversary

COLOMBO: The 57th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army fell yesterday. The main official function in this regard was held at Army Headquarters Colombo with the participation of Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.

Prior to the main function, a series of religious activities took place at different places of religious importance, including four major religions. Army Commander Fonseka inspected the guard turn-out at the entrance to the main building before he proceeded to hoist the Army flag in front of his office building. Later, the Army song was sung by a bevy of women soldiers.

Afterwards the Commander received the Guard of Honour accorded by troops of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) in conformity with age-old military traditions. Then members of the clergy of major denominations of Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and Islamic faiths invoked blessings on the Army.

The Commander and all senior officers observed a two-minute silence as a token of honour to the fallen war heroes.

The ceremony afterwards paved the way for commencement of Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka's customary address to the All Ranks.

Lt. General Fonseka along with Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and senior officers as last leg of the itinerary visited the Military Hospital. He spoke to a cross-section of the patients and gave away gift parcels while wishing them a speedy recovery.