Nation pays tribute to War Heroes with pride - President

It is with great honour towards War Heroes that I issue this message to mark National War Heroes' Day ceremonies held today to pay the nation's tribute to War Heroes who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the freedom of the Motherland, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Victory Day message.

The message adds: "The ability to unite the Motherland under a single banner offers us a great sense of pride. It is also a pride and a sense of dignity to the entire nation. The greatest sacrifice of the era towards this achievement was made by War Heroes of the three Forces, Police and the Civil Defence Force.

'We reminisce this feat time and again due to the enormous honour and respect we have for them.

"This supreme freedom has extended to all areas of the Motherland. To make it more meaningful the country has taken steps towards achieving real development. Here too the nation receives great support and strength from the War Heroes.

'It is a pleasure to note that they are taking the same amount of effort to support the steps taken to achieve economic freedom in the same vein and strength to that offered in defeating terrorism.

"I believe that the greatest tribute we could pay our gallant War Heroes is to rebuild the nation by diverting the liberated country on the correct path towards an economic miracle. Similarly, we have given top priority towards the welfare of War Heroes.

That is why separate villages have been set up dedicated for them. Opening of special schools as other welfare measures are being taken for their benefit because it has been identified as a natural duty."

"We should also pay tribute to the families and relatives of War Heroes who dedicated their lives on behalf of the country."