Victory Day celebrations in Matara
by Dhaneshi Yatawara
The fifth Victory Day celebrations will be held today on a grand
scale in Samudra Mawatha, Matara.
Troops of the Tri Services, police and Civil Defence Service
personnel, Mechanised Columns and differently-abled soldiers in
wheelchairs will take part in the parade.
There will be 587 officers representing the Army, Navy, Air Force
Police and the Civil Defence Force. Moreover, 3,735 Army, 1,189 Navy,
1,100 Air Force, 643 police and 578 civil defence and other rankers will
also take part.
The parade will be commanded by Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe and the
second in Command would be Brigadier Nishshyanka Ranawana.
The Armed Forces will showcase its military strength in the parade by
including nearly 116 armoured vehicles. The Air Force will conduct a
flypast with their fighter jets and helicopter squadrons and about 35
aircraft will be used. The Navy will parade along the sea in 40 ships
and vessels including Dvoras, IECs, attack craft and ships.
There will be a colourful display from parachute jumpers from the
three Forces. Nine Parajumpers will be from the Army including five
officers and nine from the Air Force including three officers and two
women parajumpers. Three Navy personnel will participate in parajumping.
Colonel Anil Samarasiri of the Sri Lanka Army will carry the National
flag for the parajumper fleet.
Many VIPs, Foreign dignitaries and the public will view the parade at
the Samudra Mawatha, Matara. |