President attends 13th National War Heroes’ Day commemoration event

The 13th National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony was held in a low profile at the National War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte under the auspices of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning (May 19).

The Armed forces in Sri Lanka defeated terrorism and brought peace to the country on May 18, 2009, ending the brutal war that prevailed over three decades. A large number of war heroes laid down their lives for the motherland and were maimed during the battle with the terrorists.

The Ministry of Defence said accordingly, that all War Heroes who made supreme sacrifices to bring peace to the country and the immense services rendered by them were remembered with respect.

The event was organized by the Ranaviru Seva Authority to commemorate the War Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland and two-minute silence was observed in memory of the fallen War Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.

The Ministry of Defence further said the War Heroes who fought against the terrorists were commended, the national anthem was sung and floral tributes were accorded at the War Hero Cenotaph.

Secretary Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Major General Jagath Alwis, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Inspector General of Police C.D Wickramaratne, Major General Ranjan Lamahewage (Retd), Director General, Civil Security Department Major General Nandana Senadeera (Retd), Chairman, Ranaviru Seva Authority and representative tri-service and Police officers and Civil Security Department officials were present at the occasion. (NewsWire)