Colombo (News 1st): Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. A special ceremony to mark the occasion was held at Galle Face Green in Colombo today (October 10) at 9:00 am.

A guard of honor for Commander of Sri Lanka Army Lt. General Shavendra Silva was also held in line with the anniversary. A commemorative stamp to mark the 70th anniversary was also issued.

Religious observance in remembrance of war heroes was held during the ceremony and Rs.10 million from the war heroes fund was donated to children’s insurance fund in line with the World Children’s day.

Sri Lanka Army was founded on 10 October 1949 as the Ceylon Army after forming its first regular force under the command of Brigadier R. Sinclair.

With the establishment of its own Military Academy in Diyatalawa, Brigadier Anton Muthukumaru assumed the mantle of office as the first Sri Lankan Commander of the then Ceylon Army.

Blossomed into a full-fledged Army during its life-span of the past 70 years, the Sri Lanka Army has been effectively commanded by 23 Commanders to-date.

Sri Lanka Army has served in times of security threats, national catastrophes, disasters, emergencies while promoting gestures of goodwill and reconciliation, safeguarding national security interests, engaging in the mega nation-building tasks, contributing to UN peacekeeping missions and humanitarian projects.

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