June 03, Colombo: Sri Lanka today staged an extravagant military and a cultural parade to celebrate the monumental victory over the terrorist war waged by the Tamil Tiger rebels for three decades.

The victory celebrations presided by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa were held at the Galle Face sea front promenade in Colombo with the participation of the armed forces commanders, Defence Secretary, government ministers and other political leaders including the opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe, the diplomatic core and other dignitaries.

President Rajapaksa opening the ceremony addressed the nation both in Sinhala and Tamil languages and paid a glowing tribute to the armed forces for their valiant sacrifice to free the country from terrorism.

"Let us remember them every time we breathe to live," the President said.

President said that there would not be even a shadow of a division in a solution to the ethnic crisis and a solution would be home grown in keeping with the integrity of the nation and the region.

The three armed forces, Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, police and Civil Defense Force paraded along the Galle Face. Highlight of the military parade was the wheel chair parade of the disabled soldiers. The military parade was followed by a very colorful cultural parade with about 3,000 dancers performing traditional dances.

Sri Lanka Navy paraded its mighty fleet of ships in the sea and the Air Force showcased its aircraft in the skies above the Gall Face. The pageant concluded with 24 paratroopers from all three armed forces and Police descending from 6,000 feet to the Galle Face green and paying their respects to the President.