The Riviresa Campaign Services Medal (
Sinhala: රිවිරැස මෙහෙයුම් පදක්කම ''riviræsa meheyum padakkama'') was a
campaign medal
A campaign medal is a military decoration which is awarded to a member of an armed force who serves in a designated military operation or performs duty in a geographical theater. Campaign medals are very similar to service medals but carry a high ...
presented to all ranks of the regular and volunteer forces of the
Military of Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Armed Forces is the overall unified military of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka encompassing the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Air Force; they are governed by the Ministry of Defence (Sri Lank ...
,
Sri Lanka Police
(The one who lives by the Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma itself)
, mission =
, formedyear =
, preceding1 = Ceylon Police Force (1866–1972)
, dissolved =
, superseding =
, employees = ...
, as well as civilians that were involved in planning or assisting
Operation Riviresa
Operation Riviresa (Operation Sunrays), was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in Jaffna. Starting on 17 October 1995, the primary objective of the operation was the capture of the city of Jaffna and rest of ...
(17 October 1995 - 5 December 1995), one of the most notable successes of the Sri Lankan forces during
Eelam War III
Eelam War III is the name given to the third phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
After the period of 100 days cease-fire the hostilities broke out on 19 April 19 ...
.
This medal is one among few awarded to a serving senior political appointee, having been awarded to the Deputy
Minister of Defence
A defence minister or minister of defence is a Cabinet (government), cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from coun ...
at the time,
Col.
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
(later
Gen.
The Book of Genesis (from Greek language, Greek ; Hebrew language, Hebrew: בְּרֵאשִׁית ''Bəreʾšīt'', "In hebeginning") is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Its Hebrew name is the same as its i ...
Anuruddha Ratwatte
General Anuruddha Leuke Ratwatte (14 July 1938 – 24 November 2011), frequently referred to as Anuruddha Ratwatte, was a Sri Lankan soldier and politician. He was a Cabinet Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence.
Early life
Born in Kandy ...
.
Award process
The decoration was presented by the
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
, following recommendations from field- and service commanders. All actively serving military and police servicepersons, military- and civilian medical staff and civilians employed by the armed forces in any non-military capacity (involved in planning the Operation and present in the
Jaffna Peninsula during the Operation, for instance) were all eligible to receive the award.
In addition, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Service Commanders and the
Inspector General of Police
An Inspector General of Police is a senior police officer in the police force or police service of several nations. The rank usually refers to the head of a large regional command within a police service, and in many countries refers to the most se ...
were awarded the decoration, by virtue of their appointments.
A
clasp was awarded to all ranks of the tri-services that participated in combat, fire support, logistics, medical support, planning, direction or other related services during the operation within their given operational location for a minimum of 25 days.
The 25-day minimum was waived if the serviceperson was a combat casualty during the course of the operation.
The clasp was also awarded to the Deputy Minister of Defence, Service Commanders and the Inspector General of Police , by virtue of their appointments.
References
External links
Sri Lanka ArmySri Lanka NavySri Lanka Air ForceSri Lanka PoliceMinistry of Defence : Sri Lanka
{{Military awards and decorations of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan campaign medals
Awards established in 1996