The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, celebrated the reclamation of Sri Lankan land at a military 'Victory Day' parade in the southern town of Matara today.
The Sri Lankan government today held ‘Victory Day’ celebrations with a parade of 3,734 army, 1,189 navy, 1,100 air-force, 643 police and 578 civil defence personnel walked through the southern town of Matara, reports Colombo Page.
Extracts from Rajapaksa’s statement to the ‘victory day’ crowd reproduced below.
Remembrance event held in Mullivaykal amidst military harassment (18 May 2009)
TNPF office blocked off by army (18 May 2009)
Troops besiege Uthayan office in Jaffna (18 May 2009)
The Sri Lankan government today held ‘Victory Day’ celebrations with a parade of 3,734 army, 1,189 navy, 1,100 air-force, 643 police and 578 civil defence personnel walked through the southern town of Matara, reports Colombo Page.
Extracts from Rajapaksa’s statement to the ‘victory day’ crowd reproduced below.
“Every inch of our country and the two thirds of the coastal line was regained for our mother Lanka on a day like today, exactly five years ago.”The ‘Victory Day’ celebrations in the south come as Tamils in the north struggled to remember their dead amidst strong military presence and intimidation.
“Peace, stability, real democracy and every freedom were offered to Sri Lankan people on a day like this.”
“Today we exhibit you the various kinds of weapons used to defeat the ruthless terrorist.”
“The troops that forged ahead in the battle front, defeating the enemy are walking in this parade. Are not we feel a pride when we witness them?”
“We achieved this victory through the contribution of Tri Forces, Police , Civil Defence Force, Intelligence services, Buddhist monks who went camp by camp chanting pirith to bless soldiers.”
“If you respect those war heroes, you must protect the peace won by them with the sacrifice of thousands of lives.”
“Today, there is confidence among the people in the world about our Motherland. Now tourists arrival has gone up to 1.7 million per year. We have organised the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting. Now Sri Lanka has become a favourite venue for international conferences.”
Remembrance event held in Mullivaykal amidst military harassment (18 May 2009)
TNPF office blocked off by army (18 May 2009)
Troops besiege Uthayan office in Jaffna (18 May 2009)