Colombo: A Poppy Flower was ceremonially pinned on Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) during a meeting with the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) at the Defence Ministry.

According to Ministry of Defence, the SLESA delegation was led by its President, Lieutenant Colonel Ajith Siyambalapitiya. The President of the SLESA Poppy Committee, Major General Mahinda Mudalige, performed the pinning of the poppy flower on the Defence Secretary. This gesture is part of the tradition of observing Poppy Day, a memorial day in Commonwealth countries to honor fallen armed forces personnel since the end of World War I.

The meeting also included a discussion between the Defence Secretary and the SLESA delegation, reflecting the ongoing relationship between the Ministry and the association.