Elaborate Arrangements Mark Anniversary at Kandy School of Signals

Sri Lanka Army’s, School of Signals, the seat of IT and communicative technicality learning in Kandy marked its 26th birth anniversary, giving prominence to a chain of religious and military formalities.

Prior to the exact date of the anniversary, volleyball, basketball and cricket tournaments among officers and other rankers under training continued for two days (6-7 October) after all of them were grouped under four separate combined teams.

On Sunday (9), the Commandant - School of Signals, Colonel Sugath Ratnayake, together with a representative group of officers and non commissioned officers went to the Temple of Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and received blessings symbolically on the school flag during a religious ceremony inside the chambers.

The same evening, Buddhist monks at the historic Asgiriya Maha Vihara Pirivena were taken to the premises in a colourful procession for overnight Pirith chanting. The relic casket was respectfully carried by the Commandant to the chanting octagon (Pirith Mandapaya) while the ‘Piruwana Pothwahanse’ containing Pali canon was taken by Lieutenant Colonel Champika Wijekoon, Chief Instructor before chanting commenced.

Offer of ‘Heel Daana’ (breakfast), the following morning (10) and the ensuing ‘Saangika Daana’ (alms-giving) to 26 members of the Maha Sangha, headed by Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana, Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter and Most Ven. Vendaruwe Upali Nayake Thero, Anunayake Thero (deputy prelate) of the Asgiriya Chapter, took place in the same afternoon (10), amid a large gathering of officers, other rankers, family members of Army personnel and well-wishers, including a few retired officers.

The military formalities of the anniversary commemorative ceremonies got underway on Wednesday (12) with a Guard Turnout and a parade presented to the Commandant on account of the 26th anniversary. Commandant reviewed the military honours in the company of the parade commander.

An all rank lunch, headed by the Commandant in the same afternoon brought the anniversary arrangements to culmination.