Secretary graces STF War Hero Commemoration ceremony
September 01, 2019Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General SHS Kottegoda WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc graced the 35th War Hero Commemoration ceremony of the Special Task Force at STF Training School at Katukurunda, today (01 September).
The Secretary was received by the Acting IG CD Wickramarathne upon his arrival at the Training School, this morning. During the ceremony, the Secretary paid floral tribute at the STF War Hero Monument.
Making a brief address at the ceremony, the Secretary paid gratitude to all the War Heroes of the STF who had sacrificed their lives and lost their limbs for the sake of the country and also praised the contribution of the STF in the fight against terrorism. The STF's role during the terrorist conflict and anti-drug traficking operation also came under praise by Secretary Defence. He recalled the support provided by the STF to the Security Forces when he was Security Forces Commander - East.
He further said that their services and sacrifices set a good example for the present generation to follow. The Secretary also thanked the families of the fallen and disable War Heroes for the support and sacrifices.
During the ceremony, the Secretary presented a group of disable STF personnel with some wheel chairs and prosthetic limbs. The ceremony also saw the children and family members of fallen STF War Heroes being presented with educational scholarships and spectacles. The Secretary, paying tribute to the great services the founder of the STF, DIG Sahabandu, garlanded his statue at the Training School.
Later, he proceeded to visit the Training School's Close Quarter Battle training area and also the vehicles being sent for UN Peacekeeping Missions.
Chairperson of the MoD Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Sonia Kottegoda, Commandant of the STF, Senior DIG MR Latheif, senior STF officers and family members of the STF War Heroes were also present at the ceremony.
The Special Task Force has lost 464 personnel and 6 civilian employees during the terrorist conflict.
