108th anniversary of ANZAC Day held in Colombo

The High Commission of New Zealand and the High Commission of Australia celebrated the 108th anniversary of ANZAC Day at a Dawn Service amidst respected formalities today (25 April 2023) at Commonwealth War Graves Section, Jawatta Cemetery, Colombo.

ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. This year, the celebrations were hosted by the High Commission of New Zealand in Sri Lanka whereas the last ANZAC Day was organised in Sri Lanka by the High Commission of Australia.

According to the publication, ‘100 Years since Gallipoli,’ a group of the then Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps, a Volunteer Regiment from Kandy made up of tea and rubber planters sailed to Egypt in the autumn of 1914 during World War I, and afterward in April 1915, another contingent of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps had reportedly joined the 1st ANZAC in Turkey and stayed near Ari Burnu Beach Head which was afterward renamed as ANZAC Cove.

At the invitation extended by the High Commissioner of New Zealand Michael Appleton and the High Commissioner of Australia Paul Stephens, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva attended the ceremony and paid his respects by laying a wreath at the Dawn Service.

The State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners to Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka, a number of diplomats, Commanders of Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force, and a number of distinguished guests were at the occasion.