The
Ranaviru Commemorative Parade - 2015 under the theme ‘Let’s be Committed to Preserve Peace Won’ on Tuesday (19) paid tribute to Sri Lanka’s success story over terrorism and saluted unparalleled sacrifices of the Tri-services, Civil Defence Force and the Police in a colourful ceremony at Matara, headed by President Maithripala Sirisena who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Hoisting of the National Flag by the President Maithripala Sirisena, Singing of the National Anthem to the melody of Police and Civil Defence Force bands, One-minute silence in honour of all fallen War Heroes and patriots, President Salute and Guard of Honour, 21 Gun Salute to the President, President’s address to the Nation, tri-service parade, Police and Civil Defence Force parade, Navy Sail Past, Air Force Fly Past and Tri-service Parachute display, added colour and dignity to the day’s spectacle, witnessed by a large gathering of invitees and members of the public.
The grandeur of this year’s march past with display of tri-service mechanized columns, naval fleet in the opposite seas and Air Force fighting craft in the skies became further prominent in separate ceremonial, combat and mechanized columns that went past, saluting the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the special dais.
This year’s Ranaviru Commemorative Parade - 2015 also attracted a new segment of Ex-servicemen and retired Police officers who together with young servicemen walked in the march, offering their salute to the President. The contribution of differently able War Heroes on wheelchairs and the kennel segment were also among the highlights of the parade.
A total of 3255 Army personnel, 1615 Sailors, 916 Air Force personnel, 959 Policemen and 555 Civil Defence Force personnel took part in the parade.
Ceremonial, combat, mobile contingents, colour squads of the tri-services, Police and the Civil Defence Force, representing War Heroes who decisively fought at the expense of their precious lives in the North (Jaffna column), Wanni (center, western and eastern columns) and Eastern Humanitarian Operations (eastern column) with their respective Commanding officers proudly began the march past displaying their unflinching determination, continuing dedication and sheer commitment to the defence of the motherland and her forward-march.
Sri Lankan War Heroes, who added a new global dimension to the myth that terrorism could not be wiped out militarily are now fully committed to the daunting task of rebuilding the Nation.
All those attending the day’s mammoth commemoration paid a glowing tribute to a representative gathering of disable tri-service and Police War Heroes in the parade after having stood up from their chairs in honour of them as they entered the main area.
The parade commanded by Major General Channa Goonetilleke. Brigadier Aruna Jayasekara served as the Parade Second in Command. Commodore Sujeewa Perera and Air Commodore Kapila Wanigasuriya commanded Navy and Air Force components respectively.
Over 100 tri-service armour tanks, artillery guns, mine clearing equipment of the engineers, signal equipment, sniffing and combat dogs of the Army, together with other vehicles, attracted the attention of everybody present at the gathering. Over 25 naval craft at sea sailed past Matara seas and the Air Force showcased their skills with over 30 aircraft, flying past in the skies.
The day’s itinerary began sharp at 7.30 in the morning soon after the President Sirisena and First Lady Mrs Sirisena’s arrival. The stage was set for the spectacular and mammoth show of the day as the Inspector General of the Police, Commander of the Air Force, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Secretary Defence and his spouse, Secretary to the President and the spouse, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and his spouse, Chief Justice and his spouse, Speaker and his spouse, Hon Prime Minister arrived at the venue in succession and were welcomed warmly by designated officers of the Police, Air Force, Navy and Army.
Seconds after that, the arrival of His Excellency, the President Maithripala Sirisena, together with the First Lady Mrs Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari Sirisena, was heralded as tri-service members of the cultural troupe commenced blowing traditional trumpets.
Prime Minister, Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders and the IGP upon receipt of both the President Maithripala Sirisena and the First Lady, conducted the President to hoist the National Flag, inaugurating the day’s proceedings.
Blowing of traditional conch shells, amidst beating of auspicious drums (Magul Bera) signaled the formal inauguration of the day’s event after flag hoisting. Lined up Tri service, Police and Civil Defence Force members afterwards recited the National Anthem and paid the Nation’s tribute, giving pride of place to the country.
The next moment was solemn and dignified as the mammoth gathering rose to feet paying their respect to the memory of all fallen War Heroes by way of a one-minute silence. The gesture took all present at the occasion down on the memory lane and recalled invaluable sacrifices of those War Heroes who dedicated their today for our tomorrow.
The ceremony turned more dignified as the clock struck 8.15 a.m. The military ceremony got off the ground with the Presidential Salute, to be followed by the 21 Gun Salute, awarded to the President while all invitees remained standing.
The triumphant mood of the Nation’s hard-fought victory over LTTE terrorism reached its zenith as President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest on the occasion began to address the Nation.
The grandeur of the March Past, presented by Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence Force War Heroes as well as the display of mechanized columns, support weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, sophisticated missiles of the tri-services and the Police, added more prominence to the day’s event.
Of them, Army de-miners, signalers, veterinary unit with sniffing dogs, artillery, mechanized infantry, engineer equipment and other armed units of the Navy and Air Force who stood a tower of strength to those fighting troops, drew the attention of the gathering as it provided a new spectacle that caused interest and curiosity. The mechanized column parade and the parachute show also robbed the attention as the day’s programme was drawing to a close.
Presentation of the salute by wheel-chair ridden War Heroes, sustained injuries in the battlefields, needless to mention, touched heart and soul of all those present on the occasion. They received an overwhelming standing ovation on the occasion as they went past the main dais and the invitees.
Navy and Air Force displays in the seas and air offered the most thrilling experience with tri-service parachutists descending from a height of about 6000 feet as rhythmic beats began rending the air with soothing melodies.
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