70th anniversary Army Day parade held at Galle Face
October 11, 2019Special Stamp issued to mark 70th Army Day
Thousands of Army personnel promoted on milestone anniversary celebrations
The main ceremonial parade of the 70th Army Day conducted at the Galle Face promenade saw a column of two thousand troops, dressed in their respective regalia march proudly with their regimental flags and present salute to their Commander.
The main ceremonial parade commenced with the observing of a two-minute silence in memory of all fallen War Heroes who had laid down their lives for the country.
The ceremonial parade was comprised of Colour Squads, Presidential Truncheons, President’s ‘Rana Parashuwa’ (Hatchet), and the Presidential Colours etc while a fleet of artillery guns, armoured vehicles and tanks stood on the side of the ground.
During the Commander’s address he announced, to the joy of many the promotion of a large number of Army personnel including 210 Officers (Second Lieutenant (3) to the rank of Lieutenant, Lieutenant (17) to the rank of Captain, Captain (15) to the rank of Major, Major (40) to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel) and 7,000 Other Ranks to their next rank in view of the 70th anniversary.
Meanwhile, a new stamp and a first-day cover was issued to mark the 70th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army on the same day (10th Thursday, October). The stamp was issued by the Philatelic Bureau of the Postal Department during ceremony held in Colombo, yesterday.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva accepted the first day cover from the Post Master General, Mr. D.A.R.K. Ranasinghe, during the ceremony.
Acting Secretary of Defence Mr. Anuradha Wijekoon, Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, past commanders, senior military officers, special invitees and a large number of Army personnel were also present at the Army Day parade.
