In a surprise reversal, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that he will attend the National War Heroes Commemoration scheduled for tomorrow, despite earlier indications to the contrary.
Senarath Kohona, Chairman of the War Heroes Service Authority, confirmed the change during a media briefing held today at the War Heroes Commemoration Monument in Kotte, Sri Jayewardenepura. Kohona revealed that final preparations were underway for the ceremony, now to be held under the President’s direct patronage.
This update comes just two days after the Ministry of Defense announced that Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara would officiate the event on behalf of the President. That earlier statement sparked widespread criticism from veterans’ associations and sections of the public, many of whom viewed the President’s initial absence as a failure to honor the memory of fallen soldiers.
While no official reason has been given for the President’s decision to attend at the last minute, insiders suggest that the backlash may have played a key role in the shift. With the country still deeply reflective during this commemorative period, tomorrow’s ceremony is likely to be watched closely — not just for the tributes paid, but for the political signals it sends.
