Nation honours service personnel

Chaminda Perera

The nation yesterday honoured thousands of service personnel who laid down their lives for the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland at the National War Heroes Memorial at the Parliament grounds in Kotte.

The area echoed to the drum beats by the cultural troupes of the Tri Forces and the Police giving an air of bravery and valour to Sri Lankans who stood against separatist forces throughout history.

The war heroes commemoration was held to mark the first anniversary of eradicating terrorism which plagued the country for over 30 years. Over 27,000 members of the Security Forces sacrificed their lives for the Motherland during the past 30 years.

The ceremony organized by the Ranaviru Seva Authority, commenced with the observation of two minutes silence to remember the war heroes.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief and Defence Minister who played a major role in eradicating terrorism placed floral tributes in remembrance of thousands of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in defence of the Motherland.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Service Commanders honoured the fallen heroes by placing floral tributes. Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman Pathma Weththewa, Officers of the Defence hierarchy and Defence attaches of the Colombo based diplomatic missions were present.