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The Sri Lankan army is ready to defend the nation at all times said the army's Commander Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva on Saturday, addressing the 66th Army Day.
Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva said in his address that “Sri Lankan soldiers are admired world over for their display of humanity, discipline, professionalism and integrity”. “These attributes will without doubt enable us to be more efficient when we embark on increasing our participation in UN.”
“I urge all members of the Army to remain steadfastly loyal to the nation,” he added.
In a statement released on Saturday, the army said “its glory reached its zenith in May 2009 across the globe following its unique eradication of Sri Lanka’s long-drawn ruthless terrorism”.
A UN report released last month detailed how the Sri Lankan military systematically shelled hospitals, denied humanitarian assistance to Tamil civilians and carried out unlawful killings during the final phase of the armed conflict.
Lt. Gen. Crishanthe De Silva also praised Sri Lanka’s defence secretary and President Maithripala Sirisena in his address, saying they had “fervently stood by our Armed Forces, keeping National Security interests closer to their hearts”.
In the weeks leading up to the anniversary the military performed several Buddhist ceremonies to bless the army.
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Amongst them was a flag ceremony earlier this week, which the army said “symbolizes the deep veneration the Army has to the Buddha’s Uddesika relics which are believed to have been enshrined in the Kirivehera, built by the famous king Mahasen after the Buddha paused here during His 3rd visit to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC”.
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Similar ceremonies had taken place at the Sri Maha Bodhiya tree, a site that government officials visit to receive blessings from Buddhist monks.
A ceremony was also held at a church earlier this week, with a special mass.