STF War Heroes’ commemoration ceremony

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Police Special Task Force is to hold its 27th War Heroes commemoration ceremony from August 31 to September 03 under the inspection of STF Commandant DIG R.M.W.C.Ranawana.

An overnight Pirith chanting ceremony will be held at the Katukurunda training school and a sangika dhana will be offered to 50 Bikkhus.

Several programmes are planned in Weherahena, Matara, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura and Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy as well.

The STF established in 1983 with 60 police personnel has today developed into a major security arm of the State involved in VIP security and suppressing activities posing a threat to national security. It also helped the Police and the Sri Lanka army in defeating terrorism in the country.

The Defence Ministry decided to deploy the STF in active duty in the North and East including the Jaffna peninsula during the height of LTTE terrorism.

For the first time four STF officers laid down their lives in defence of the country on September 1, 1984 in a LTTE landmine explosive in Tikkam, Jaffna. The four officers were constables Ekanayake (4100), Mathupala (2539) Nanayakkara (3928) and Driver Sumanasekara (13029). Thereafter September 1 was celebrated as the War Heroes Day of the STF. To date 462 STF members and six civilian staff have laid down their lives in defence of the unity and territorial integrity of the motherland.

The STF plans to give scholarships to children of STF families who were affected by the war. Currently they have given over 1000 scholarships and money will be deposited in accounts of children of war heroes.

The National Savings Bank, People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon and large number of sponsors will contribute towards this effort. Personal contributions can be made by contacting 0112588481.