Kilinochchi, Wanni & Central SFHQs Have Their Own New Year Festivals

Varieties of festivities, connected to the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year-2017, attracted hearts and minds of all ranks in island-wide Security Force Headquarters as all joined hands together with one another in the past few days to hold their own respective New Year festivals, giving pride of place to traditional games and fun-making events.

Both Officers and Other Ranks of the Security Forces Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) and under command battalions assembled near the banks of the Iranamadu reservoir Saturday (08) morning for conduct of their festive event, headed by Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi (SF-KLN) as the Chief Guest.

Mrs R Ketheeswaran, District Secretary for Mullaittivu, Mr M Welikanna, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kilinochchi and a host of other senior officers, including the General Officers Commanding and state officials in Kilinochchi took time off to enjoy the day’s celebration, ‘Soorya Mangallaya-2017’ with enthusiasm at Iranamadu, Kilinochchi.

The typical model village ‘Iranamadu Wevu Thavulugama’ that displays the Sri Lankan heritage and mutual understanding that exists between Northerners and Southerners included Arachchi gedara, Karaththa gedara (Cart house), Weda gedara, Kammal gedara (blacksmith’s house), Kumbal gedara (Clay pot maker’s house) and Deewara gedara (fisherman’s house).

At the end of the New Year festival, Commander Security Forces - Kilinochchi and several senior officers gave away gifts to the winners in different events and competitions.

In the meantime, troops of the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) organized their own New Year festival at the SFHQ-W ground on Friday (07). Major General J.R Kulatunga, Commandeer, Security Force Headquarters - Wanni graced the event as the Chief Guest with Mrs. Thushari Kulatunga.

Hoisting of the National Flag by the day’s Chief Guest followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp signalled the formal commencement of the day's event which included Traditional and merry-making games and collective competitions, such as, gunny bag races, eye-placing on the elephant, grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, bun-eating, pillow fighting, tracing of hidden guest, drinking milk through soother, cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, musical chairs, fancy dresses, counting of papaya seeds, needle and thread, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (New Year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (New Year prince), and several other games and traditional age-old practices, were among the highlights that dominated the day’s chain of events to the much amusement of all the onlookers.

Senior Officers, Officers serving the SFHQ-W, all General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, Officers and Other Rankers attended the event.

Meanwhile, Officers and other rankers serving under the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C) on Tuesday (11) held their own Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival at Muthukumaru Grounds, Diyathalawa.

Major General P.U.S Vithanage, Commander, Security Forces - Central (SF-C), graced the event as the Chief Guest.

The event included many varieties of traditional games and fun-making features, adding glamour and interest to the occasion. Of them, a model of the rural village that had been erected by SFHQ-C troops in the premises, came in for the praise of everyone especially among the civilians.

The evening session was coloured by Army singers and dancers, staging a musical entertaining session.

Distinguished guests, many Officers and Other Ranks were also present at the event.

The distribution of prizes to the winners culminated the day’s event.