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28th May 2021 21:03:42 Hours

NATION COMMEMORATES WAR HEROES

Sri Lanka commemorated its valiant War Heroes of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence Force at the 'Ranaviru Commemorative Parade -2015 ' held in Matara today (19th Tuesday, May 2015). The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Maithripala Sirisena graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. BMUD Basnayake were also present at the ceremony held at the Samudra Mawatha in Matara overlooking the Indian Ocean. A 21 gun salute was accorded to the Commander - in Chief of the armed forces and the President at the outset of the function. The President also received the state guard of honour by the members of the armed forces. The vivid flow of proceedings began with the hoisting of the National Flag by the President and reciting of the National Anthem. A one-minute silence was observed in memory of the fallen heroes. Guard turnouts, gun salutes, armed forces parades including Police and the Civil Defence Force, Sail Past of the Sri Lanka Navy, Air Force Fly Past and the exciting parachute display were some of the highlights of the ceremony. A batch of ex-servicemen including retired Police officers also paraded at the occasion. The chief guest and other guests in a show of appreciation stood up when a group of differently-able war heroes made their entry in the parade. The ceremony saw the participation of over 3255 soldiers, 1615 sailors, 916 airmen, 959 policemen and 555 CDF personnel. During his address the President said the reconciliation process includes investigating the truth, carrying out justice, eliminating the fear and mistrust and building trust among every community and re-building physical resources which were devastated by the armed conflict. Hence, with the experience of the war, we must understand the requirement of priority for the reconciliation process. The war that commenced in the 1980s became the worst catastrophe of our nation for three long decades. All developmental activities were at a standstill. People lost their hopes. All of them, however, committed themselves together with the members of the security forces to fight this war until victory, with much sacrifice. All of them who made such sacrifices receive the respect and honor of the nation. This honour should go to all the members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Forces and all leaders of the State since 1980s who gave leadership with commitment to bring this conflict to an end, he said. President Sirisena further said that as the new government we clearly state that our policy is that of development and reconciliation. We cannot fulfill our expectations for reconciliation only through development. The reconciliation process includes investigating the truth, carrying out justice, eliminating the fear and mistrust and building trust among every community and re-building physical resources which were devastated by the armed conflict. Hence, with the experience of the war, we must understand the requirement of priority for the reconciliation process. In instructions given to security chiefs of Security Council meetings action is being taken to work out a new national security system and plan. We fully undertake responsibilities of preventing another war in this country, the President said. With regard to national security, we must clearly state that we will take every step to strengthen the armed service and to create a suitable environment for the services by providing ample physical and human resources for their needs, he further added. We will never let brutal terrorism raise its head in this country again. We will strengthen the process of development and reconciliation and have the foremost trust and respect in the security sector led by the tri-forces. With regard to national security, we must clearly state that we will take every step to strengthen the armed service and to create a suitable environment for the services by providing ample physical and human resources for their needs, he said. In conclusion the President requested all to unite towards the development and reconciliation in the country. We must all carry out our responsibilities together to defend the unitary status and territorial integrity on behalf of our nation and country. Major General Channa Goonetilleke, Commodore Sujeewa Perera and Air Commodore Kapila Wanigasuriya commanded the army, navy and air force guards respectively. Over 100 tri-service armoured tanks, artillery guns, mine clearing equipment, communication and radar equipment, sniffing and combat dogs of the security forces, together with other military vehicles, attracted the attention of all present at the gathering. Over 25 naval craft made a Sail Past in the seas off Matara while the Air Force carried out a Fly Past with over 30 aircraft. Religious dignitaries, former president Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Hon. Speaker, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, Chief Justice, Secretary to the President, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders, IGP, Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, members of the diplomatic corps, state officials, senior military officers and a large gathering of distinguished invitees were also present at the occasion. Full text of the president speech Courtesy : www.defence.lk