Around 500 Sri Lankans gathered last evening (June 7) at the Kingsbury Buddhist Temple to commemorate Ranaviru Day and to acknowledge the supreme sacrifice made by almost 20,000 troops over the past 3 decades in defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Motherland against the threat of terrorism.

It was also an occasion to condemn without reservation the many acts of terrorism committed by the LTTE, especially the targeting of civilians and causing untold suffering to ordinary people regardless of their ethnic identity, religious faith etc.

Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in London, Sudantha Ganegamaarachchi, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe and former High Commissioner Chandra Monarawila were among those present.

A special bodhi pooja was held at the temple to offer blessings to the security forces.

Most Ven. Piyadassi Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Kingsbury Buddhist Temple commended President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s efforts to rid the country of the terrorist menace and called on all political parties to set aside their differences and support this most important effort in the national interest.

The Venerable Thero also pledged that Sri Lankan expatriates living in the UK will continue to do their best to support the ongoing humanitarian mission to liberate the last remaining areas under the grip of terrorists.

Photos courtesy of Sudath Silva