COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is all set to hold the victory day parade on Sunday (May 18) to mark five years since the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who waged a decades-long battle for a separate homeland for minority Tamils.
The victory parade will be held under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the coastal town of Matara, the southern heartland of the majority ethnic Sinhalese and the birthplace of the incumbent president.
“All arrangements have been finalised for the holding of the 5th Victory Day in Matara on Sunday,” the Sri Lankan defence ministry said, adding that more than 7,500 troops and police will be deployed.
Over 100 military vehicles, 40 ships and gunboats and 35 military aircraft will take part in the celebrations in Matara.
