Defence Secretary graces S. Thomas’ College War Hero Commemoration ceremony

Defence Ministry Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne PC was the Chief Guest at the ceremony held to commemorate War Heroes of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia last week. The ceremony was held at the Memorial Monument at the Big Club Grounds of the school.

Waidyaratne, who is also a distinguished past pupil of S. Thomas’ College, was received by Warden Rev. Marc Billimoria upon his arrival at the school.

The solemn ceremony was held with the presence of several former service commanders, serving tri-forces and police officers, members of the OBA and school students. Citations of Thomian War Heroes were read by the students during the ceremony, rekindling the memories of those present of their fallen compatriots. After observing a moment of silence in memory of the fallen war heroes, floral tributes were placed at the Memorial Monument by the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests.

The ceremony to commemorate the lives of Thomians who fought for Independence and in defence of Sri Lanka over the past century also coincided with the 100th Death Anniversary of Second Lieutenant Basil Horsfall VC, the first Thomian to die in battle during World War I in France, exactly 100 years ago.

S. Thomas’ College has produced many service personnel who had played their part in doing their patriotic duty to the motherland. This includes many great souls who laid down their lives in the defence of the country, and others who were service commanders and officers of the tri-forces and police.