IPKF memorial in Colombo nearing completion

Names of over 1,200 IPKF personnel, who lost their lives fighting the LTTE, will be etched on the memorial.

The names of over 1,200 Indian Peace Keeping Force personnel, who lost their lives fighting the LTTE in Sri Lanka 18 years ago, would be etched in a memorial that is under construction in Colombo.

“The construction of the Memorial for the IPKF personnel is drawing closer to a finish,” a top defence ministry official said adding, it was being erected close to the Parliament House near Colombo.

The roll of honour at the memorial, which will bear India’s National Emblem, is also likely to include names of Indian paramilitary personnel who lost their lives during the anti-rebel operations, taking the total to about 1,500.

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The Sri Lankan official, however, said no decision had been taken on the date for unveiling the monument.

On being asked whether the memorial would be ready before the SAARC summit scheduled for July this year, the official remarked “there is no firm decision as yet on when it would be unveiled”.

He, however, said construction could be completed before or after July. The names of the martyrs are expected to be etched on black marble and topped by an eternal flame.

The IPKF during its 30-month stay in Sri Lanka ending March 1990 was involved in intense clashes against the guerrillas before they were asked to leave the island country by then President R Premadasa in June 1989.

For Kolkata, the IMD has forecast mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers on most days through Panchami.

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