Country ever grateful to war heroes - Defence Secretary

W C B Fernando, Puttalam Correspondent

We should be ever grateful to our war heroes for making the ultimate sacrifice to rid the country of terrorism. “Their devotion and sacrifice helped usher peace to the country which was bleeding due to three decades of LTTE terrorism,” said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The Defence Secretary was speaking as the chief guest at a function held at the Puttalam Army Camp Wijayaba Training Centre to present 1,304 Uttama Puja medals to family members of war heroes of the Security Forces and Police.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government will always look after the well-being of the war heroes families.

He said on the instructions of the President many ceremonies have been held to honour our war heroes. One such function was held last week to honour war hero families.

The Defence Secretary said this is the first time that honorary medals were presented to the families of war heroes.

He said the parents of these war heroes have made a great sacrifice by offering their children to protect the country. “We are ever grateful to them,” he said.

Around 30,000 war heroes laid down their lives in the defence of the Motherland since 1980 and their sacrifice will be written in golden letters in the country’s history, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said.

Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman Padma Wettewe, senior officers of the Security Forces and Police, parents and wives of war heroes were present on the occasion.