Police heroes remembered

Sarath Malalasekera

Inspector General of Police NK Illangakoon paid his respects to 2,529 Police Heroes who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties, by placing a wreath at the monument at the Field Force headquarters on Thursday.

After placing the wreath, IGP Illangakoon participating at the 149th Police commemoration ceremony, requested parents and relations of the police personnel who sacrificed their lives during the war, to place floral wreaths at the monument.

Before placing floral wreaths, the IGP and the others observed two minutes' silence.

Several Police personnel injured during the war also participated in the commemoration day ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, IGP Illangakoon said since March 21, 1864 the day in which Police Constable Saban sacrificed his life while performing his duties, thousand of Police personnel, men and women, have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service to the nation.

The Police Heroes' Day has been commemorated every year as part of the Police Commemoration Day, by paying silent tribute, the IGP said.

Several present and past senior Police officers were present at the commemoration ceremony.

Field Force DIG F Fernando, Senior SP Priyantha Jayakody, ASP Wasantha Gunasekera and OIC Dhammika Dayanada provided security for the commemoration ceremony.