Premier Buddhist school pays tribute to its war heroes:

Anada Viru HARASARA

by Ananda Kannangara

If anybody is asked to name a school that produced the most number of students to serve the Armed Forces, the name is Ananda College, Colombo and it would come on top. Anandians are always proud of their unprecedented achievements not only in the Armed Forces, but also in the fields of education and sports.

Founded as a Buddhist English School in November, 1886 at No. 61, Maliban Street, Pettah by Col. Henry Steele Olcott with only 31 students, Ananda College has so far produced hundreds of important personalities including doctors, engineers, university academics, scientists, Judges and also high ranking security personnel.

During the past few days the staff and the students of Ananda College organised a series of ceremonies to felicitate old Anandians who made the sacrifice during the past few years to achieve a lasting solution to the conflict. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest at "Anada Viru Harasara" ceremony, which was held at Ananda College on Friday to felicitate gallant old Anandians in the Armed Forces.

Addressing the gathering, President Rajapaksa first paid a glowing tribute to the members of Armed Forces and later highlighted the invaluable service rendered by soldiers to eliminate the LTTE that destroyed valuable human lives during the past three decades.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Director General, Civil Security Department, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, Major General Jagath Dias, Brigadier Prasanna Silva, Major General Kamal Gunaratne and Brigadier Chagie Gallage were among the few Anandians who received mementos from President Rajapaksa in recognition of their bravery during the war period.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa being welcomed by Lal Dissanayake, Acting Principal of Ananda College

The staff and students of Ananda College also presented a memento to President Rajapaksa for his dedication and leadership that helped to bring a lasting solution to the three decade old war.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa played a dynamic role to achieve a magnificent victory over the LTTE. As he was an officer in the Sri Lanka Army, he understood the priorities of the commanders and the soldiers who were in the battle field.

He assumed duties as Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order in November 2005. He joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1971 and spent 20 years in service.

He was also the Deputy Commandant of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in 1991.

He was the Commanding Officer of the first Battalion Gajaba Regiment from 1989 to 1990.

A product of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda and Ananda College, Colombo, General Sarath Fonseka used new strategies to defeat the LTTE.

Enlisted to the Army in February 1970, Gen. Fonseka was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and thereafter he was promoted to several ranks including the rank of General in May 2009.

Gen. Fonseka said his alma mater encouraged him to love the country and also to join the Army.

President Rajapaksa inspecting the Guard of Honour

President Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka,Senior DIG Mahinda Balasuriya , Civil Defence Force Commander Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, Minister of Education , Susil Premajayanth at Anada Viru Harasara.

Ananda War heroes’ memorial