Nation commemorates Victory Day today

Chaminda PERERA

The nation will commemorate the third anniversary of totally vanquishing terrorism in the country, at a solemn ceremony to be held at Galle Face Green today under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s patronage .

Over 12,828 personnel and 852 officers representing the Tri forces, the Police and the Civil Defence Force will participate in the Victory Day parade marking the third anniversary of ending 30 years of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Over 200 service personnel disabled in their exercise to free the country from terrorism, will also participate in the parade.

President Rajapaksa who is also the Commander in Chief will receive the Guard of Honour by service personnel representing the Tri Forces, Police and the Civil Defence Force on his arrival.

A 21 gun salute will also be accorded to the President on this occasion.Thousands of Security Forces personnel who laid down their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be remembered by observing two minutes’ silence.

The parade will begin soon after the President’s address to the nation. The parade will be commanded by Maj. Gen. Jagath Rambukpotha, who is the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College. He was the commanding officer of the 56th Division during the war. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa , ministers, Parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps will attend the ceremony. Elaborative arrangements have been made for the public to witness the ceremony this year too.

The gate near the Old Parliament is to be kept open for members of the public and the organizating committee requests the public who wish to view the Victory Day parade to be in their seats by 8.a.m.

According to Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalle, military hardware used for the humanitarian operation to free thousands innocent civilians from the clutches of terrorists will also be on display at this ceremony. Over 148 military vehicles representing artillery, engineering, signal and infantry regiments will be on display .

A colourful display will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Air Force. Over 32 Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters, will be flying past over the Victory Day parade and 72 naval craft will be joining the parade in the sea off Galle Face. The families of 15 Security Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, will receive highest honorary medal among the three Armed Forces, Parama Veera Vibushana from the President on this occasion.