All SFHQs Launch Elaborate Anniversary Programmes

Island-wide Army formations had their own commemorative arrangements organized at their respective locations on account of 67th Army anniversary and Army Day (October 10).

Troops serving the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) launched a ‘Herbal Tree Planting’ programme in collaboration with the Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital in Jaffna inside the farm premises of the SFHQ-J.

It took place on Friday (9) with the motive of protecting indigenous herbal species that were fast disappearing. The programme, initiated on the directions of Major General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander, SFHQ-J as one segment of the commemorative events, attracted a large group of Army personnel. Similarly, troops in the 52 Division of the SFHQ-J conducted a blood donation campaign in response to a request, made by the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Blood Bank on Sunday (09). On the instructions of Brigadier Aruna Wanniarachchi, General Officer Commanding 52 Division, the troops supported the drive.

Meanwhile, another 102 Army personnel of the 51 Division at the request of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital’s Blood Bank visited the hospital and donated blood on the Army Day (10) since the hospital was short of blood stocks. Brigadier Mervyn Perera, General Officer Commanding, 51 Division was also present at the occasion.

In the meantime, the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) marked the Army anniversary, giving pride of place to religious observances of major denominations on Sunday (9). A Bodhi Pooja, a Christian service and a Jumma prayer session, held at separate respective religious places in Vavuniya preceded formal military ceremonies.

On the Army Day, a flag hoisting ceremony and the reading of the Commander’s message took place at the SFHQ-W premises before a minor tree planting campaign got underway. Colonel D.B Jayasinghe, representing Commander, Security Forces - Wanni, took part in the commemorative programme. Later in the same afternoon, troops carried out a cleaning drive inside the Vavuniya Ayurveda Hospital premises.

The anniversary commemorative events of the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) meanwhile began with formal military ceremonies and a Shramadana campaign, conducted at Welikanda Hospital premises on the same day (10). Arrangements were in place on the directions of Commander, Security Forces - East.

Meanwhile, the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) marked the Army Day giving prominence to flag hoisting, tree planting, reading of Commander’s message and a visit to the Base Hospital, Kilinochchi and a Shramadana campaign inside the hospital premises. Major General Amal Karunasekara, Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi attended the events.

Kilinochchi troops repainted more than 100 bedside cupboards of the patients at Kilinochchi Base Hospital during the programme and cleaned the premises surrounding wards during the day. Similarly, on the directions of the SFHQ-KLN, both Brigadier H.D.W Kariyawasam, Commander, Forward Maintenance Area - Kilinochchi and Brigadier C. Keppetiwalana, General Officer Commanding, 66 Division on account of the 67th anniversary visited the Kilinochchi Army Base Hospital and distributed gift parcels among Army patients receiving treatment.

On Saturday (08), troops of the Security Force Headquarters-Mullaitivu (SFHQ-MLT) began 67th anniversary commemorative events with Shramadana campaigns at the Army Base Hospital, Mullaitivu on the directions of Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu.

On Monday (10), a flag hoisting ceremony and a tree planting ceremony got underway at the SFHQ-MLT premises where the Army Day message was read out to the gathering by Colonel H.G.P.M Kariyawasam, Colonel General Staff, SFHQ-MLT.

Major General Dampath Fernando, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu planted a tree sapling and visited the inmates at the Mullaitivu Army Base Hospital. After inquiring into their well-being, he gave away gift parcels to coincide with the Army Day. A Bodhi Pooja Pinkama was later conducted at Muladeepa Viharaya inside the SFHQ-MLT by Ven. Thissapura Gunarathana Thero, Incumbent at Kokilai Rajamaha Viharaya and invoked blessings on the Army and its forward-march.

Meanwhile, troops in the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C) conducted several anniversary events on account of the Army Day and the 67th anniversary during October 8 - 10. At first, those troops conducted a Shramadana campaign at the Amy Base Hospital, Diyatalawa on Saturday (8).

A flag hoisting ceremony, a tree planting campaign and the formal ceremony got underway at the SFHQ-C premises on October 10. To begin with the Army Day message was read out to the gathering by Brigadier I.O.W Madola, Brigadier Admin & Quartering, SFHQ-C after the Army flag was raised and the Army song sung. Later, a group of senior officers visited the patients at Diyatalawa Army Hospital and distributed gift parcels as gestures of goodwill on the Army Day. In the evening, a Bodhi Pooja at the Bomaluwa in the Diyatalawa Army Camp premises brought the commemorative ceremonies to end.

To coincide with the 67th Army anniversary, the 11 Division Headquarters of the SFHQ-C meanwhile launched a few programmes, led by Major General D.S.N.K Senadheera, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division. Reading of the Commander’s message, recital of the Army song, raising of the Army flag and opening of a new canteen for other rankers dominated the day’s chain of commemorative events.

At the end of the programme, several senior officers, led by the General Officer Commanding, called at the Kandy General Hospital and gave away gift parcels to Army personnel under treatment in several wards.

In the meantime, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, Security Forces - West accompanied by several senior officers went to the Panagoda Army Base Hospital and inquired into the well-being of the patients as part of the Army Day commemorative ceremonies and presented them with gift parcels.