You fought bravely, and I know you are ready to fight again to crush terror, President tells troops

10,000 war veterans in Victory Parade

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday paid a glowing tribute to the men and women of the armed forces in the forefront in the fight against terrorism as the country celebrated the fourth anniversary of the defeat of the LTTE.

At the main celebrations of Victory Day at the Galle Face Green in Colombo, the President said that he knew the members of the armed forces gathered before him yesterday were ready to sac- rifice life and limb for the nation.

“Even if we all die on behalf of the motherland, there will be thousands of others willing to take our place and defend this nation,” the President.

Members of the tri-forces, the Sri Lanka police and the Civil Defence Force put up an impressive display of skill. President Rajapaksa reviewed the parade at the beginning of the ceremony which was attended by Ministers, MPs, public officials, diplomats and members of the public. A minute’s silence was al- so observed on behalf of all those who had fallen in battle.

The President recalled past acts of terror carried out by the LTTE including the attack on the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura and the killing of the former Indian prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi.

“We were told by the entire world not to clash with the Tigers. We were told to give what they wanted. If we too had been so fearful and meek we would still be living in a country where one is afraid of a parcel on the road,” Mr Rajapaksa said.

The government had complete faith in the heroism and strength of Sri Lanka’s youth. “We believed that our young heroes had the strength to take this country from shame and defeatism to heroism. That is why this country is today a great nation that is free of the fear of death,” the President said.

More than 10,000 members of the Army, Nay, the Air Force, the Police and the CDF took part in the parades which also included 150 soldiers disabled by war injuries.

At the ceremony, national honours were bestowed on six members of the army who made the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the country.

Each of the men who were honored had carried out an act of bravery during the war which helped save the lives of many of their colleagues and caused losses to the enemy.

The men honoured included Captain P.N.Punsiri, Lt. W.D. Jayatillake, Sgt. K.G.N.L.R.Perera, Sgt. K.P.D.T. Gunasekera, Cpl. Nilantha Kumara and Cpl. S.V.A.M. Pushpamal.