The successful culmination of Jaffna’s first-ever ‘Army Searchlight Tattoo’ with a record spectators of more than 25,000 on the final day on Sunday (25), reaffirmed the fact that ordinary people of all walks of life, including the majority of Jaffna youngsters, do expect a turn-round in their future fortunes, contrary to what is being advocated by certain extremist elements.
To coincide with the government’s policy of taking major events of special importance to village level, Sri Lanka Army on the directions given by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, staged the ‘Army Searchlight Tattoo’ at Jaffna Alfred Doraiappa Stadium for three days (March 23-25) free of charge after the Commander of the Army, together with Senior Officers and the Jaffna Security Forces Commander, opened the Army’s spectacle of pride and dignity to the public.
‘Army Searchlight Tattoo’ that highlights an assortment of various undisputed skills of the Army, including mock simulation attacks and rescue of hostages, Army ceremonial features, free fall parachute jumps, dog shows, demonstration of the Bailey bridge construction, assembling of artillery guns and jeeps, stunt riding displays, talents of disable War Heroes, Ranabera and Bugle displays, physical training shows, fire work displays, etc, perhaps never witnessed by northerners before provided a refreshingly novel experience to them as a feature of amusement, thrill and colourfulness.
The final day’s unprecedented crowds who began to throng the premises since forenoon hours found it extremely difficult to catch a glimpse of the whole show inside the Stadium as the scheduled 3.00 p.m. opening hour was drawing nearer. Many unsuccessful spectators were finally seen atop trees, buildings and stationary vehicles around the perimeter of the Stadium as the Tattoo got underway. Cheering and non-ending rounds of applause of Jaffna onlookers amply manifested their sense of closeness and goodwill towards members of the Army serving the peninsula.
On the first day of the Tattoo, Commander of the Army (Chief Guest) and Mrs Imelda Sukumar, District Secretary for Jaffna, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. On the final day (25), Major General R. M. D Rathnayake, Chief of Staff as the Chief Guest opened the Tattoo for public.
Parachute jumps of Army Commandos and Special Forces during the three-day ‘Searchlight Tattoo’ at Jaffna were comprised of parachutists who represented Sri Lanka in several international competitions and championship tournaments. Recently, Army parachutists entered the finals in ‘accuracy landing’ category during the World Championship Tournament for Parachutists, held in China.
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