2026 POPPY COMMEMORATION HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PRIME MINISTER
The main commemorative ceremony marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Poppy Commemoration was held on 08 November 2026 at the War Heroes’ Monument, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The annual commemoration is organised by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association in collaboration with the tri-Forces, to honour and pay tribute to the brave war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, from the First World War to the present day.
Upon her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was received by the President of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ajith Siyambalapitiya, and the Chairman of the Poppy Committee, Retired Major General Mahinda Mudalige. Following multi-religious observances, a two-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the fallen war heroes. Thereafter, the Prime Minister, distinguished guests and representatives of the Sri Lanka Armed Services Veterans’ Association laid floral tributes at the War Heroes’ Monument in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara; the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyakontha, and the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. Further Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera along with members of the Air Force Board of Management, former Service Commanders, foreign Ambassadors, senior Officers of the Tri-Services including the Commander of Sri Lanka Navy, members of the Sri Lanka Armed Services Veterans’ Association, and family members of fallen service personnel were also present to pay their respects.
The annual commemoration is organised by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association in collaboration with the tri-Forces, to honour and pay tribute to the brave war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland, from the First World War to the present day.
Upon her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was received by the President of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ajith Siyambalapitiya, and the Chairman of the Poppy Committee, Retired Major General Mahinda Mudalige. Following multi-religious observances, a two-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the fallen war heroes. Thereafter, the Prime Minister, distinguished guests and representatives of the Sri Lanka Armed Services Veterans’ Association laid floral tributes at the War Heroes’ Monument in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara; the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyakontha, and the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. Further Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera along with members of the Air Force Board of Management, former Service Commanders, foreign Ambassadors, senior Officers of the Tri-Services including the Commander of Sri Lanka Navy, members of the Sri Lanka Armed Services Veterans’ Association, and family members of fallen service personnel were also present to pay their respects.
