National flag hoisting at Galle Face with new ceremonials

The hoisting and furling of the National Flag at Galle Face Green on a daily basis, which has been undertaken by the Army for a period of six months, took place early on Monday during a brief ceremony, performed by three Army personnel after conduct of a special drill.

Responsibility for raising the National Flag has been entrusted to the Army (Six months), Navy (three months) and the Air Force (three months) and it is done on the first working day of each month with formal band and drill ceremonies according to a new procedure, introduced by the Directorate of Personnel Administration of the Army to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of the National War Heroes’ commemoration. Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army adding significance to the brief new drill practice watched it, together with Major General Jayantha Seneviratne, Adjutant General, Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera, Director Personnel Administration and a few other Officers.

The Flag is raised at 6.00 a.m. every day and lowered at 6.00 p.m. on a rotation basis throughout the whole year.