National ceremony for war heroes at Magul Maduwa

A national ceremony to mark the reunification of the country and honour and invoke blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and war heroes including security forces, Police and Civil Defence Chiefs for liberating the country and nation from terrorism will be held at the historic Magul Maduwa of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy on May 23.

It is organised by the Sri Dalada Maligawa headed by the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters said the Government Information Development in a press release.

President Rajapaksa will preside over the ceremony which will be attended by the Malwatte and Asgiriya Prelates, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke, IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne and Civil Defence Force Director General Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara.

Concurrently state procession will be held in Kandy at 1 p.m. The release said the proceedings will be telecast live on Rupavahini and other TV channels could obtain a simulcast from Rupavahini.