We Salute Them

THE CEREMONIAL passing out parade of 100 Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa occurred Friday (24) attended by Hon Prime Minister D. M. Jayarathne as Chief Guest. These newly commissioned officers, including five trained in India Military Academy, are of Regular Officer Cadet Intake 67...

Sri Lankan Army news update
It is a tradition in many countries to reserve special honor and respect to those who serve in the armed forces. There's is a sacrafice, usually begun in their prime, to protect the lives and lifestyles most others take for granted.

...in his speech to the occasion congratulated all newly commissioned officers and said that they were joining the proud and victorious Sri Lanka Army in a free and united country after ending 30 years of terrorism and now they have to contribute to the rapid development programmes in the country.

Each cadet dressed in his finest, the moment comes for him to receive the recognition he has earned.

It is a moment of pride for supportive family members and for military and government officials.

But, ironically, it is also a moment of apprehension for the young cadet.

A future in the military can offer a promising career and just as likely a brief one.

The threats faced are not limited to the battlefield, now the legacy of a conflict in Sri Lanka that has ended.

The present threats are more mundane--injury or death from landmines, accidental weapon discharges, vehicle accidents and other potential mishaps, and the ever present risk of a return to violence in the island nation.

With Profound Gratitude

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Never to Forget Your Gallantry

THE UNFLAGGING courage and dignity of War Heroes, who selflessly contributed to the success story in Sri Lanka over the long-drawn-out terrorism, received a fitting tribute with all the pomp and pageantry at Galle Face Green on Friday (18) morning during the first anniversary celebrations of the National Victory Day.

This year’s parade assumed special significance and prominence since some 9000 War Heroes who decisively fought in the North, Wanni and Eastern Humanitarian Operations with their respective commanding officers and mechanized columns took part in the celebration

The Sri Lankan Army on Victory Day

The Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse at the Fallen War Heroes memorial, flanked by handsome drummers in traditional costume.

The next moment was solemn and dignified as the mammoth gathering rose to feet paying their respect to the memory of fallen War Heroes by way of a two-minute silence. The gesture took all present down on the memory lane and recalled numerous sacrifices of those War Heroes who dedicated their today for our tomorrow.

The National Victory Day parade, a landmark commemorative event that recollects the unbelievable win over brutal terrorism is to be held every year to pay tribute to all War Heroes of Tri Services, Police and the Civil Defence Force.

The public were not present to witness this eventful procession, nor was the Army chief in command when victory was secured, Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

Nevertheless, the troops got their due.

18 June marked Victory Day, which represented both a tribute to the country's president, but more significantly a display of the fighting men and their machines in grand form.

All of the men look quite incredible in their finest.

However, the Speical Forces on motorbikes, wearing face guards and sporting massive handheld weapons would seem to have been show stealers.

Perhaps these gentlemen have been regarded with some notoriety.

Masked, bike riders appear to have been among squadron of paratroopers who have waged there on terror on some questionably legitimate targets.

In any event, the men on parade here appear to have the romanticized persona of super fighters and real warriors. It is nice to imagine that these bad guys are truly the good guys, who won the war for Sri Lanka.

The grandeur of the March Past, presented by Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence Force War Heroes as well as the display of mechanized columns, support weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, sophisticated missiles of the tri-services and the Police added more prominence to the day’s event.

The police, it would seem, have been a major part of the national defense and war strategy. So it is fitting that they take their place in the procession.

Their participation may go some way to alleviate the bad feeling many in the population have toward the police, owing often to what seems like less than partial treatment whenever one interacts with them.

This seems to be a phenomenon everywhere, where the role of the police, one of the most fundamental roles within any society, is marred by corruption and rough treatment of many.

In most societies, however, the police are us. They are not an alien sect, but our brothers, sons and personal acquaintances.

Army de-miners, signalers, veterinary unit with sniffing dogs, artillery, mechanized infantry, engineer equipment and other armed units of the Navy and Air Force who stood a tower of strength to fighting troops drew the attention of the gathering as it provided a new spectacle that caused interest and curiosity.

And then there were these...

I can't say I have seen any platoon who look as incredible as these men with painted faces. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Predator, these guys look like the baddest thing in the jungle.

They Are Sri Lanka's True Warriors...


Addendum

When all the pomp and pageantry has ended one begins to ponder the significance of what has transpired.

The post victory reality is a tarnished one. The refugee situation is one of part of what has gone wrong. The Sri Lankan government claims it has had to weed out any remnants of Tiger activists, but others claim the resettlement process has been much too slow. The Sarath Fonseka affair is another serious blemish. The government claims the general was out to foment and coup de tat, but on the face of it one sees a political opponent of the president being arrested and jailed on questionable grounds.

Still a third area of concern is what appears to be a cult of personality of sorts being created around the image of the president. No doubt credit goes to the leadership for victory in the long fought war. But where that takes on the language of idolatry is worrying. Note the language attributed to the country's prime minister in reference to his speech at the officer cadet graduation ceremonies featured at the head of this post. In the following excerpts he pays tribute to Sri Lanka's president: He [the prime minister] stressed that the main power behind the victory against ruthless terrorism was HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who gave the correct undaunted leadership to humanitarian operations amidst many challenges that came on his way. “Sixty Six countries around the world are still fighting against terrorism, but the sole country which could achieve a military victory was Sri Lanka. This victory has mortified other big countries and they are making falls allegations against us. This is a pusillanimous act. Our Commander in Chief President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought an end to a conflict which four other leaders could not finish. Therefore the honour of this gigantic victory should go to HE the President, the Secretary Defence, all war heroes and the parents who brought them to this world” the Prime Minister said. For the troops to be lauded is one thing, but unbridled praise of the president seems out of place, especially while the former general who led the fight sits imprisoned and resettlement and reconstruction issues continue the hardships of many.

We Salute Them

Most of the photos appearing in this SLM post are from the Sri Lanka the defense websites referenced and from newswire photos.

I place no claim of ownership over these images although some have been digitally modified for the purpose of this post.









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