08th February 2024 20:02:53 Hours
Following the directions and the guidance of the Commander of the Army, the auspicious harvesting of paddy, sown in a stretch of 8.5 acres of field near Army Headquarters, Sri Jayawardenepura occurred this morning (8) during a simple ceremony with the participation of the troops serving at the Army Headquarters.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, accordingly graced the ‘Ran Aswanu Neleeme Mangallaya’ (Golden Harvest Reaping Ceremony) as the Chief Guest.
The day’s ‘Ran Aswanu Neleeme Mangallaya’, - the harvesting arrangement began with traditional and religious rites and rituals before a set of soldiers who sowed paddy seeds several months ago stepped in the fields, carrying sickles at the presence of day’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Commander of the Army.
The 8.5 acres of paddy fields were cultivated by the troops of 1 Regiment SLACAL under the guidance of Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock and Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock of the Army.
The Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock currently maintains 20 farms island-wide, covering a total of 7500 acres, which include 450 acres dedicated to paddy cultivation. Accordingly, various agricultural products and animal husbandry projects are generated from theses island wide agri-farms. Furthermore, the harvested goods will be sold to Army members at affordable prices.
Major General K.P.S.A Fernando RWP RSP ndu, Colonel Commandant, SLACAL, Major General A.H.L.G Amarapala RWP RSP ndc psc, Director General of Financial Management, Brigadier B.N. Madanayake RWP RSP, Director, Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock and Commanding Officer of 1 SLACAL threw their full weight for the success of the project.
Major General W.H.K.S Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndu, Chief of Staff, Major General S.P.A.I.M.B Samarakoon Hdmc Lsc, Deputy Chief of Staff and several Senior Officers were present at the harvesting ceremony.
