The nation unites to celebrate

Grand Victory Day Celebrations at the Galle Face Green today

The Galle Face Green will be transformed to an arena of pageantry and military might this morning as the nation celebrates the victory of the armed forces over terrorism in grand style with the participation of over 3000 Sri Lankans.
While the forces will display their grandeur and might with true discipline and aplomb, President Mahinda Rajapakse who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces will grace the occasion as Chief Guest. Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunnatilleke and Police Commander Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne will also be present on this official celebration of the end of the war along with Chief-of- Defense Staff Air Marshal Donald Perera. Many other dignitaries including Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are also expected to be present.
The three commanders will hand over a scroll containing the national message to the President, officially declaring the war to be over. The president will then address the nation after which a parade will take place with all personnel of the three forces who were engaged in the war marching past the dignitaries. A cache of LTTE weapons recovered will also be displayed and a cultural show will follow. In a grand show of might and success, the forces will be on full display with Air Force jets streaking the sky, a parachuting display and Navy vessels maneuvering the seas.