The Sri Lanka Army celebrates its 66th anniversary today.

A ceremonial parade to commemorate the Army Day (10), headed by Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army takes place at the Army Cantonment in Panagoda with a special Guard of Honour greeting him as the Chief Guest.

In his 66th Army Anniversary day message, the Commander said that Sri Lankan soldiers are admired world over for their display of humanity, discipline, professionalism and integrity. These attributes, he said, will without doubt enable us to be more efficient at a time we embark on increasing our participation at the UN Peacekeeping Missions.

Founded on October 10, 1949, as the Ceylon Army, Sri Lanka Army was a small entity until the 1970s. It expanded especially after the outbreak of the civil war in 1983.

Sri Lanka Army became renowned for its pivotal role in the end of the country's civil war. In 2009, the LTTE, described by some as the world's strongest terrorist organization at the time, was completely annihilated by the Sri Lanka armed forces.