The National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony took place today (19) at the Battaramulla War Heroes Memorial, under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. 

The media release issued by the PMD also says :

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the victory over LTTE terrorism that lasted for three decades. A total of 28,619 heroes from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, and Civil Security Department (CSD) sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the motherland, while over twenty-seven thousand war heroes were rendered disabled. The ceremony was a proud expression of the nation’s gratitude towards these brave individuals.

The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed by the President, the Prime Minister, and others in honour of the fallen war heroes. 

The event commenced with religious observances and a special war drumming performance, paying tribute to the courageous soldiers from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, and CSD who sacrificed their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The commemoration ceremony was organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas, Minister of State for Defence Pramita Bandara Thennakoon, other ministers, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary of Defence, Commanders of the three armed forces, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Civil Service Department, Field Marshal Mr. Sarath Fonseka, former commanders of the three armed forces, war heroes, and members of war heroes’ families all paid their respects to the fallen soldiers by laying flowers at the War Heroes Memorial.

(President’s Media Division)

A joint programme by China and Sri Lanka to conduct free 120 cataract surgeries was completed today (17).

Organised by the Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Sri Lanka – China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC), the project was implemented by the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan and the Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC. 

A 10-members medical team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, China arrived at Colombo last Saturday (13) for the programme held from May 15- 17.

A ceremony was held at the Lanka Hospital in Colombo today (May 17) with the attendance of officials from both China and Sri Lanka.

Visiting governor of Yunnan Province – Mr. Wang Yubo, Madam Yang Mu, DG of the Yunnan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong, State Minister of Health – Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Mr. Zeng Zhong – President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, President of the ASLCSCC – Mr. Indrananda Abeysekara, Secretary to the Eastern Province Governor – Mr. L.P. Madanayake, CEO of Lanka Hospitals – Dr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, Deputy CEO of Lanka Hospitals – Dr. Lasantha Karunasekara as well as embassy and hospital staff were present.

Speaking to the governor at the ceremony – State minister of Health – Dr. Seetha Arambepola expressed her gratitude to the governor and hoped that more such projects would be initiated in Sri Lanka in the future to benefit all levels of public. Responding, the governor said he hoped that the two countries would enhance cooperation with each other.

Talking to the medical staff of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, governor Wang praised their efforts and said that they have restored sight to 120 people, who in return, have become ambassadors of China – Sri Lanka cooperation.

(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)

President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone, which is the National Vesak celebration organized by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo on May 03. 

The Vesak program includes various events organized at the Galle Face Shangri-la Green and Presidential Secretariat Premises on May 03, 04, 05, and 06.

During the inauguration, the President switched on the lights to mark the start of the Vesak program and attended the ‘Bhakthi Gee’ event on the steps of the Presidential Secretariat. After that, he offered flowers to the Buddha statue and participated in religious rituals at the Seemamalakaya of the Gangarama Temple.

The President also illuminated the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” electric lights to inaugurate the Vesak celebration. The South Asian Embassies and High Commissions had created exhibition booths at the Vesak Zone to showcase the Buddhist heritage of the Vesak region, which the President visited. He observed the designs and asked for details from the designers.

The President also made a note in the commemorative book at the exhibition hall of the Pakistani Buddhist heritage. Later, he visited the Gangarama Temple and received blessings from Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Temple. Additionally, he had a friendly conversation with the local and foreign devotees who had come to visit the Buddha Rashmi Vesak program.

The Venerable Sangha community, including Ven. Kollupitiye Prof. Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Manusha Nanayakkara, Naseer Ahmed, Minister of State Suren Raghavan, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired), Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr Gopal Bagle, Pakistan High Commissioner Major General Umar Farooq Burki, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Inspector General of Police C D Wickramaratne, Foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners and several others also participated in this event.

(President’s Media Division)