Kurunegala special ceremony salutes fallen North Western province
war heroes
Over 463 War Heroes of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI)
of the North Western Province who made the supreme sacrifice in the war
for peace were honoured and their dedication was remembered during a
provincial War Hero commemoration ceremony at Kurunegala Maliyadeva
Girls' College auditorium, Sunday (25) morning. The SLLI Regiment which
had always been in the forefront in times of war and peace in Sri Lanka
during the last three decades organized the event with a large number of
War Hero family members in attendance.
Major General R.M.D Ratnayake, Chief of Staff of the
Army and also the Colonel of the SLLI regiment attended the event as the
chief guest. He was received on arrival by Major General Karunasekara,
General Officer Commanding 53 Division and a host of senior officers of
the SLLI Regiment at the venue including Brigadier DA Amunugama
Commandant Infantry Training School, Brigadier KGHSK Embowa, Director 'Senehasa'
Special School, Brigadier M. Mudalige, 234 Brigade Commander, Brigadier
S. Perera General Officer Commanding 55 Division, Brigadier H.M.J.K
Gunaratne Commander Task Force II, Brigadier W.D.L.P Wickramasinghe,
Colonel of the Regiment Sri Lanka National Guard and Colonel J.
Kodithuwakku, the Regimental Center Commandant of the Sri Lanka Light
Infantry.
The day's ceremony commenced at the auditorium after
observing one- minute silence by all in memory of the fallen War Heroes.
Thereafter, the regimental anthem was sung, followed by presentation of
a short TV documentary. At the end of the short film, there was a
symbolic distribution of "Ranaviru Pranama" certificates to several next
of kin of War Heroes in recognition of the supreme sacrifice of their
much-loved sons, fathers or brothers.
Addressing the gathering, Major General R.M.D
Ratnayake paid tribute to fallen Sri Lanka Light Infantry war heroes,
their families and those who had turned disable in action during
decades-long war against terrorism. Citing exemplary contributions made
by people in Kurunegala and suburbs in the face of invasions even in
ancient Sri Lanka during Portugese, Dutch and British colonial rules the
chief guest lauded their invaluable sacrifices during recent
humanitarian operations which brought peace and freedom to the
motherland.
He also did not forget to remember the leadership
provided by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces towards the victory and
emphazised that it is the duty of all country-loving citizens to share
their part in the name of the motherland towards development of the
country and peaceful co-existence among ethnicities. He added that the
real honour to those valiant men could only be paid in that way.
Mrs. Damayanthi Ratnayake, President SLLI Seva Vanitha
Unit, Mr. Nimal Chandrasiri, Mayor for Kurunegala, and senior government
officials in the area were also among the guests.
Courtesy : SL Army | 
