Solemnity, grandeur mark V-Day

Rasika Somarathna

Fighter jets flew over the Galle Face Green, Parachuters decorated the sky with colours, Navy Ships made skillful curves in the waters beyond and ground troops marched with pride- their weaponry in full display, while cheerful crowds watched in awe as they joined in one of the most spectacular military parades in Sri Lanka’s history.

The sight of wheel chair-ridden War Heroes joining the parade who sacrificed their arms and limbs for the sake of the country received an overwhelming standing ovation.

The above scenes were witnessed as Sri Lanka celebrated the first anniversary of the monumental victory over the LTTE terrorists who waged war for nearly three decades to divide the country.

The National Victory Parade presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held at the Galle Face Green with the participation of over 9,000 personnel from the Tri Forces, the Police and the Civil Defence Force yesterday morning.

A galaxy of top-level statesmen, administrators, diplomats and dignitaries including First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, the Tri Forces Commanders, the Police Chief, Government Ministers, Opposition MPs and the general public watched the grand parade. Major General Kamal Gunaratna was the Commanding Officer of the entire parade. Commanders of the Vanni, Northern, and Eastern theaters commanded their respective contingents.

President Rajapaksa arrived for the event at 8.27 a.m. and at 8.30 a.m. he hoisted the national flag and the national anthem was sung by a troupe consisting of personnel from the Tri Forces, the Police and the CDF.

The next moment was solemn and dignified as everybody rose to their feet to pay respect to the memory of fallen War Heroes by way of a two-minute silence.

The Presidential Salute that followed continued until the air resonated with the boom of the 21 Guns as all invitees remained standing.

Then at 8.52 a.m. President Rajapaksa left to inspect the parade accompanied by Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Tri Forces Commanders and the IGP.

The historic and much expected President’s address to the Nation was another source of inspiration where he highlighted the invaluable sacrifices that were made by valiant troops and challenges faced by the nation in this endeavour.The grandeur of the Parade presented by Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force accompanied by armoured cars, battle tanks, war ships, fighter planes added more prominence to the day’s event.

The presentation of the salute by wheel-chair ridden War Heroes following injuries sustained in the battle-fields touched the heart and soul of all those present on the occasion. When the giant tanks and large armoured vehicles roared into the green, the audience burst out in cheers and applause, children waved the national flag.

A war veteran seated beside me said “this would always be the day for us, which would remind veterans like me and the people in general what we went through, the sacrifices, the gains. Those years when we fought and shed blood for peace and to liberate the nation. With events like this it would not pass into oblivion.”

The parade concluded with a group of paratroopers including two women with colorful parachutes jumping from 6,000 feet above onto the Gall Face green and later greeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa.