Article Posted on : - May 04, 2010

A file photo of the Sri Lankan Army

COLOMBO (PTI): Sri Lankan troops will march down Colombo's historic Galle Face promenade every year on May 18 to mark the military victory over the Tamil Tigers, whose top leadership was wiped out on that day in 2009.

The government will hold the 'Victory Parade' on May 18 every year to mark Sri Lanka's victory over LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said after the ceremonial opening of a monument erected at Elephant Pass in memory of the war heroes.

However, the parade will be held on May 20 this year, Gotabhaya said on Friday.

The Sri Lankan Army had breached the final barrier in the war with the LTTE on May 18 last year, killing its entire top leadership, including the outfit chief Vellupillai Prabhakaran.

Gotabhaya asserted that the 'Victory Parade' was to mark the victory of all communities in the country, and every section would participate in the national event.

He said one of the main objectives of the operation was to "free" the Tamil people from the "vicious grip of LTTE".

"The Tamil people were held hostage by the LTTE and its ruthless leader Velupillai Prabakaran depriving them of their culture, education, freedom and democracy," a statement quoted him as saying.

He said a War Heroes' week will be held prior to the parade and will be undertaken with the participation of parents, wives, children and relatives of the war heroes.