A series of special religious observances, the precursor coinciding with the forthcoming Sri Lanka Army's 64th anniversary and the Army Day (October 10), for the first time since the inception of the Army in 1949, got underway at the most sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy throughout Saturday (28) where all Army Flags were symbolically blessed and all War Heroes remembered, invoking blessings and transferring merits.
As patrotic defenders of the Nation, Sri Lanka Army this year, added this new feature to its anniversary commemorative agenda, on a concept, mooted by the new Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who attaches the highest degree of reverance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa where the most sacred relics (shareerika, paribogika, uddesika) as living monuments of the Buddha and his disciples, are enshrined and devotionally preserved with due veneration, coupled with age-old rites and rituals that have been in practice from time immemorial.
Saturday's first segment of the programme got to a start with the Gilanpasa Pooja and the routine, Muruthen Poojawa, offered by the Commander of the Army, amidst beating of drums (Shabda Pooja) for the regular 'Thewawa' of the Inner Chamber after the Commander and his retnue was received by the lay custodian, the Diyawadana Nilame at the temple. A symbolic memento plus a cash donation, offered to the sacred place afterwards set the stage for offer of alms to members of the Maha Sangha, preceded by the Buddha Pooja.
Sixty four monks, headed by Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkithabidhana Maha Nayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayake Thero and the Most Ven Dr Niyangoda Vijitha Sri Anu Nayake Thera, Secretary, Malwatte Chapter, attended the mammoth alms-giving ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa Dharmasala (preaching hall) later on, in which merits and blessings were invoked respectively on fallen War Heroes and disable War Heroes for speedy recovery. A special 'Pen Wedeema' ritual recalled the bravery of fallen War Heroes as the stanza, 'Yatha Wari Vaha Pura......' began to rent the air. A brief oratory (anusasana), on behalf of all Thraiynikayaka (all three chapters) monks present and offer of 'Pirikara' culminated the first segment of the arrangements.
The colourful Army Flags including the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, all Security Force Headquarters, Divisions, Brigades and Regiments across the country that symbolize the living memory, dignity of the organization and all the members that serve it, took the centrestage of attraction during the second leg of the day's ceremony after those flags were respectfully taken in procession to the upper chamber and the Pathirippuwa (octagon) by representative officers of each unit while the Commander, carried the Army Flag for invocation of blessings. Soon after a Buddha Pooja, hundreds of those participating officers and all ranks listened to a special Dhamma sermon, delivered by Most Ven Dr Niyangoda Vijitha Sri Anu Nayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter who extolled the noble services of the Army and wished well in its future endeavours. A Seth Pirith chanting blessed the Army around the same occasion.
Offer of 'Pirikara' by the Commander to the preacher brought the day's programme to an end. On behalf of the Army, Major General Crishantha de Silva, Chief of Staff, Major General Jagath Dias, Adjutant General, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, Security Force Headquarters-Jaffna, Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters-Wanni, Major General Milinda Peiris, Major General U A B Medawala, Major General E.M.M Ambanpola, Major General E.K.J.K Wijesiri, Provost Martial and a representative gathering of senior officers, took part in the ceremonies.
Major General Jagath Dias, Adjutant General received the Commander on arrival at the Dalada Maligawa premises, flanked by other seniors.
As patrotic defenders of the Nation, Sri Lanka Army this year, added this new feature to its anniversary commemorative agenda, on a concept, mooted by the new Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who attaches the highest degree of reverance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa where the most sacred relics (shareerika, paribogika, uddesika) as living monuments of the Buddha and his disciples, are enshrined and devotionally preserved with due veneration, coupled with age-old rites and rituals that have been in practice from time immemorial.
Saturday's first segment of the programme got to a start with the Gilanpasa Pooja and the routine, Muruthen Poojawa, offered by the Commander of the Army, amidst beating of drums (Shabda Pooja) for the regular 'Thewawa' of the Inner Chamber after the Commander and his retnue was received by the lay custodian, the Diyawadana Nilame at the temple. A symbolic memento plus a cash donation, offered to the sacred place afterwards set the stage for offer of alms to members of the Maha Sangha, preceded by the Buddha Pooja.
Sixty four monks, headed by Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkithabidhana Maha Nayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayake Thero and the Most Ven Dr Niyangoda Vijitha Sri Anu Nayake Thera, Secretary, Malwatte Chapter, attended the mammoth alms-giving ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa Dharmasala (preaching hall) later on, in which merits and blessings were invoked respectively on fallen War Heroes and disable War Heroes for speedy recovery. A special 'Pen Wedeema' ritual recalled the bravery of fallen War Heroes as the stanza, 'Yatha Wari Vaha Pura......' began to rent the air. A brief oratory (anusasana), on behalf of all Thraiynikayaka (all three chapters) monks present and offer of 'Pirikara' culminated the first segment of the arrangements.
The colourful Army Flags including the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, all Security Force Headquarters, Divisions, Brigades and Regiments across the country that symbolize the living memory, dignity of the organization and all the members that serve it, took the centrestage of attraction during the second leg of the day's ceremony after those flags were respectfully taken in procession to the upper chamber and the Pathirippuwa (octagon) by representative officers of each unit while the Commander, carried the Army Flag for invocation of blessings. Soon after a Buddha Pooja, hundreds of those participating officers and all ranks listened to a special Dhamma sermon, delivered by Most Ven Dr Niyangoda Vijitha Sri Anu Nayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter who extolled the noble services of the Army and wished well in its future endeavours. A Seth Pirith chanting blessed the Army around the same occasion.
Offer of 'Pirikara' by the Commander to the preacher brought the day's programme to an end. On behalf of the Army, Major General Crishantha de Silva, Chief of Staff, Major General Jagath Dias, Adjutant General, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, Security Force Headquarters-Jaffna, Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters-Wanni, Major General Milinda Peiris, Major General U A B Medawala, Major General E.M.M Ambanpola, Major General E.K.J.K Wijesiri, Provost Martial and a representative gathering of senior officers, took part in the ceremonies.
Major General Jagath Dias, Adjutant General received the Commander on arrival at the Dalada Maligawa premises, flanked by other seniors.
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