Malay war heroes honoured by Sri Lanka army volunteer forces

An event to commemorate the Valiant Malay War Heroes of the tri forces and police was held at the Sri Lanka Malay Club "Padang" in Colombo on March 30, the Sri Lanka High Commission said in a statement here on Friday.

According to the High Commission, the Sri Lankan Malay community has a long, binding history with the army, which goes back to colonial times.

"Their loyal, discipline and bravery had earned them a special place within the ranks and also the rulers," it said in a statement.

During the British period, a full Malay battalion was formed, which eventually became the Malay regiment of Sri Lanka and received the Queen's colours in 1802. The name was subsequently changed to the Ceylon Rite Regiment.

The statement said a Memorial Plaque, with the names of all Malay war heroes of the army, navy, air force, and police, was unveiled by the chief guest at the premises of Sri Lanka's oldest cricket playing club - the Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC).

This is in honour of the war heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice or went missing in action during the war against terrorism," the statement added.

The memorial programme was held under the patronage of the Commander of the Volunteer Forces of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General Crishantha De Silva.