Sri Lanka celebrates third Victory Day
Sri Lankan nation, today (19 May) celebrated the third
anniversary of the triumph over one of the most ruthless terrorist
outfits in the world, the LTTE, at a glittering ceremony held at the
Galle Face Green in Colombo under the patronage of H.E President Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
Over 24,000 members of the Security Forces who made
the supreme sacrifice for the protection of the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the country remembered by observing two minutes
silence at the commencement of the state ceremony.
21 gun salutes were accorded to H.E President and
Commander - in Chief of the armed forces Mahinda Rajapaksa. The
President also received the state guard of honour by the members of the
armed forces.
President Rajapaksa addressing the nation on this
historical day said, that the great victory achieved by the security
forces must be preserved and remembered by all.
Thereafter the President awarded 'Parama Weera
Vibhushanaya' gallantry awards to fifteen valiant war heroes. The awards
were presented to the Next of kin of the war heroes. The 'Parama Weera
Vibhushanaya' is the highest gallantry award which can be awarded to a
military person whose conduct in the face of enemy had been beyond the
extremes of expectations making supreme sacrifice towards the nation.
This decoration shall be conferred by HE the President by a citation
under his hand seal and the award shall be made personally by HE the
President at a special investiture.
Then the 3rd Victory Day parade began with march past
by ground troops of armed forces, Police and Civil Defence Force, sail
past by the Sri Lanka Navy and fly past by the Sri Lanka Air Force with
the command of Maj Gen JC Rambukpotha RSP USP ndc psc. Also, the Victory
Day Parade was included the exhibition of munitions used in the
humanitarian operation by the security forces.
All the contingents participated in the parade showed
the nation's pride over the ever successful humanitarian mission
conducted in the world's history rescuing nearly 300,000 innocent
civilians from the clutches of barbaric Tamil Tiger terrorists.
All facilities were provided to the public to witness
this grand ceremony and to pay tribute to the thousands of War Heroes
who liberated the country from the clutches of the terrorism.
Hon Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Hon Ministers and
Members of the diplomatic corps were present at the grand event.
Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of
Defence Staff, Commanders of armed forces, Inspector General of the
Police, senior military officers and many distinguished guests were also
present at the Victory Day celebrations.
According to Army spokesperson, Brigadier GV Ravipriya,
almost all members of the Sri Lankan Army who have made their
contribution to the humanitarian operation have marked their presence in
this colorful parade. The total strength of the parade of the Sri Lanka
Army was 473 officers and 5022 soldiers.
The Sri Lanka Army parade comprised of ceremonial Foot
Columns, Eastern Column, Jaffna Column, Wanni Centre, Wanni Western,
Wanni Eastern, Mech Columns accompanied by various types of weaponry,
Armored vehicles, Artillery guns, Engineers Vehicles, Signal's Vehicles
with Radar & Communication equipment and Infantry Vehicles with mounted
weaponry.
The service personnel who were disabled in the face of
the enemy were also seen joining the parade.
Sri Lanka Navy marked their presence at the National
Victory Day parade with 7 Naval ships, 5 Gun Boats, 14 Fast Attack
Crafts, 20 Wave Rider Boats and 26 Arrow Boats. Naval contingent of the
parade consisted of 113 officers and 1065 sailors representing the four
theaters namely Headquarters, East, North and Wanni. Also, the Navy
showcased its capabilities on 9 vehicles with Naval Weapons, Weapon
Control Systems and Radar Control Systems symbolizing the status of
strength.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force participated in the
parade with 73 officers and 1398 other ranks. A total of 31 aircrafts
with 56 pilots were seen participating the fly past of the Victory Day
Parade. Also, the Air Force displayed a glamorous array of UAVs, Radar
Systems and Anti Aircraft Guns in the parade.
The Sri Lanka Police also marked their presence in the
parade with strength of 61 Police officers, 963 police constables and
with 6 Police vehicles. The Civil Security Department also presented a
colorful parade, which comprised of 30 officers and 462 other ranks.
More glamour was added to this majestic National event
by the colorful ceremonial bands of Tri Services & parachute displays by
the Tri Services paratroopers.
The following are the Brave sons of the
motherland who made the supreme sacrifice with life in the battlefield
to defend the integrity and sovereignty of our country, who were
decorated with the most prestigious 'Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV)'
medal.
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