NATION SALUTES WAR VETERAN, GENERAL SARATH FONSEKA (RETD) CONFERRING FIELD MARSHAL RANK
Sri Lankan Nation on Sunday (22), saluted the leadership,commitment and gallantry of General G.S.C Fonseka RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc (Retd) by conferring the rank of Field Marshal on him at the Ministry of Defence grounds during a State ceremony, presided by President Maithripala Sirisena, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The state investiture ceremony of promotion on this charismatic military leader par excellence who spearheaded the culmination of the three-decade long ruthless terrorism, aided by Navy and Air Force troops, was graced by religious dignitaries, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Ministers, Secretaries, State Ministers, Diplomats, Parliamentarians, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders, Inspector General of Police, Director, Civil Defence Force, Tri-Service Senior Officers, distinguished invitees and a huge gathering of people of all walks of life, drawn from every corner of the island.
The five-star rank, Field Marshal, introduced for the first time to the Armed Forces of the country in Sri Lanka, is considered the top most slot in the line of military promotions which is regarded as a non-retiring rank in the military literature and serves a fitting tribute to this military colossus who made both the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka proud by crushing ruthless terrorism during his tenure as the 18th Commander of the Army before his retirement in 2009.
Sunday\'s (22) state ceremony began with the screening of a short documentary on the military life of this brave officer, to be followed by arrivals of Director, Civil Defence Force, Inspector General of Police, Air Force, Navy and Army Commanders and the Chief of Defence Staff, Secretary Defence, Secretary to Prime Minister, Secretary to President with their spouses respectively.
As the tri-service military parade was brought to attention, arrival of the Prime Minister, Hon Ranil Wickramasinghe and the Chief Justice, took place in sequence.
The much-awaited Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Maithripala Sirisena was afterwards welcomed in the formal President\'s Salute and the Guard of Honour after he was conducted to the dais. General Sarath Fonseka was afterwards invited to take up position before the President as the assembly was set to witness the climax of the day.
Proclaiming the official citation to the distinguished gathering, Secretary Defence, B.M.U.D Basnayake read it out and outlined the series of reasons that qualified the former Chief of Defence Staff for investiture of this honorary rank for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka\'s Armed Forces.
Sharp at 4.15 p.m. President Sirisena presented the ceremonial scepter (baton), symbolic of the investiture of the Field Marshal rank to the day\'s protagonist, War Hero, Sarath Fonseka as everyone present stood up in honour.
As one more segment of the day\'s itinerary, the unfurling of the Field Marshal flag which symbolizes the office of the Field Marshal, occurred. President thereafter delivered his speech to the occasion, in which he recalled the memories of War Heroes in the annals of our history who fought against invaders and foreign adversaries with sheer determination and patriotism.
\"General Sarath Fonseka who has been promoted to the Field Marshal rank throughout his military career as a war veteran of the highest calibre, has done his best for defence of the country, with the support of Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force War Heroes. His outstanding military leadership brought peace and happiness to the people of this country and the sacrifices he made and our War Heroes made, are remembered for ever,\" the President told the ceremony.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka afterwards received the best wishes of his family members and other well-wishers after he marched back to his seat.
The day\'s state event came to an end with a street line greeting gesture, conducted in keeping with age-old military formalities as Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, amid cheers of his well-wishers, lined up to leave the place.
A representative gathering of religious dignitaries of all major faiths were also associated with the state ceremony.
