President Chief Guest at National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration in Battaramulla

The Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and the President, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19th May 2023 presided over the National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration 2023 held at the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla. The ceremony held in a dignified sequence was attended by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

The solemn event, organized by the Ministry of Defence and Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA), paid tribute to the brave men of the tri-services, Police and Civil Security Department, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Another highlight of the event was beating of drums, as a solemn and reverential gesture to honour fallen war heroes.

Subsequently, the President paid floral tributes to the National War Heroes’ Monument commemorating all patriotic war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice and those who went missing in action, to usher freedom to the nation by eradicating terrorism once and for all. Moreover, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake the service commanders who played a pivotal role during the humanitarian operation, also paid floral tributes, recalling the memories of the true sons of the nation.

Next, the gesture was reciprocated by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Inspector General of Police, CD Wickramarathna, Director General of Civil Security Department, Major General Ranjan Lamahewage (Retd), President of Rana Viru Seva Authority, Major General Nandana Senadeera (Retd), personnel from tri-services, Police, Civil Security Department ana Rana Viru Seva Authority.

As the sun set on the poignant ceremony, the echoes of valour lingered in the air, forever etched in our hearts, as the next of kin of war heroes offered their heartfelt floral tributes, paying homage to the indomitable spirit of our nation's brave defenders.