Sri Lanka Army 60th anniversary:

Victory through commitment, Professionalism and sacrifice

Ranil Wijayapala

Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka	Army Commander Lt.General Jagath Jayasuriya

With the unprecedented victory achieved by the Security Forces against the most ruthless terror outfit in the world in May this year, the Sri Lanka Army is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary that falls on October 10, under the theme ‘Victory Through Commitment, Dedication, Sacrifice and Professionalism’ in a series of programs organized throughout the month of October.

At a recent press conference held at the Army Headquarters to announce the series of programs organised to mark the 60th anniversary celebrations, the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe who is also the Chairman, Steering Committee of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations said multifarious activities have been organized to Mark This Unique Event.

”The 60th Anniversary falls at a time the entire world looks at the Sri Lanka Army with admiration and respect particularly in the aftermath of the elimination of the scourge of LTTE terrorism that affected the entire fabric of our society and the region”, Major General Samarasinghe added.

According to the scheduled program for the 60th anniversary celebrations the ceremonies are to be spearheaded at Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bo dhi, on October 2.

Captured multi barrel artillery

Captured light fast craft of Sea Tiger

”At this ceremony all the flags of the Army units will be blessed after keeping them at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi precincts in Anuradhapura on October 2, and it will be attended by Atamasthanadhipathi, Members of the Maha Sangha and senior Army officers”, he added.

The Army is composed of six Security Forces Headquarters, 14 Divisions, six Task Force Headquarters, 64-four Brigades, seven Area Headquarters, two Sub Area Headquarters, 23 Regiments and 265 Battalions.

The mega exhibition to be held from October 3 to 7 will be the centre of attraction of the general public of the country and expected to draw an average of 100,000 spectators per day. The mega exhibition will display captured LTTE equipment, arms and ammunition, LTTE suicide boats and submarines, model operations that started from Mavil Aru and ended in Puthumattalan, Army’s participatory roles in disaster management, humanitarian work and many other spheres of Army involvements. On all five days of the Exhibition, separate entertaining musical programs and firework displays have also been scheduled, providing entertainment to the public.

”It is open to the public from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m each day and the entrance ticket is priced at Rs.50”, Major General Samarasinghe added.

According to organizing committee the school children attending the exhibition will be given half priced tickets under special arrangements.

The BMICH premises is now busy with all Army regiments making their final arrangements for the display of weapons and exhibition stalls.

”It will not be a showcase of achievement of the SLA but will be an event to encourage the youth of this country to join the SLA as a career and noble profession in the future”, Major General Samarasinghe added.

Special traffic arrangements and security arrangements will be in place in and around the BMICH during the exhibition.

On the date the Sri Lanka Army celebrates its 60th anniversary the ceremonial parade will be accorded to Army Commander Lt.General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Army Headquarters.

Sri Lanka Army armoured vehicles. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage and Samantha Weerasiri

On October 12, the Sri Lanka Army will accord a ceremonial parade to its most senior officer, Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who led the Sri Lanka Army to achieve that unprecedented victory against the LTTE.

The Army Tattoo, the final and one of the most thrilling and important phases of the whole program is to begin on 17th October 2009 and will continue till 23rd at Kettarama Stadium, Colombo.

It will highlight Army heroism, gallantry, acrobatics and an assortment of undisputed skills of the Army that have now reached international standards in professionalism.

Speedy fixing of vehicles and instant construction of temporary bridges, Special skill show of elite Commando units and Special Forces, inclusive of obstacle crossings, dog shows, model simulation attacks, parachute jumps, cultural shows, women’s corps display.

The Tattoo will be open from 5.30 to 10.00 pm on all seven days and tickets for this mega event will be available at Cargills Food City outlets islandwide.

Special Forces Unit Sri Lanka Army

LTTE’s communication equipments

Highlights of the Sri Lanka Army 60th anniversary celebrations

October 02 – The flag blessing ceremony at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

October 05 – Islamic Religious observances at Davatagaha Jumma Mosque

October 06 – Hindu Religious observances at Sri Bala Selvanayagama Moorthi Kovil, Maradana

October 07 – Christian service at Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour in Colombo 7

October 03 to October 07 - Army Exhibition at the BMICH

October 10 – Army Day Military Parade

October 10 – All night Pirith chanting ceremony at Sri Bodhirajaramaya, Panagoda

October 12 – Ceremonial parade to Chief of Defence Staff at Army Headquarters

October 17 to October 23 - Army Tattoo – Kettarama Stadium