31st May 2016 09:21:50 Hours
Attidiya-based ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’, the wellness resort that houses a group of dependent and physically-handicapped War Heroes, providing all therapeutic consultations and comprehensive medical advice throughout the remainder of their lives, turned five years old on Monday (30).
Established in a serene surrounding, encircled by waterways and ponds, the healing centre, Mihindu Seth Medura (MSM) was established in May 2011 as a sanatorium for a section of gravely injured War Heroes who need constant and unabated recuperative therapies and rehabilitation until the end of their lives. A total of about 45-50 such War Heroes live their lives here where their spouses and children are also accommodated routinely on a rotational basis for short periods.
As before, this year’s MSM’s 5th anniversary programmes, organized by its Commandant, Colonel Roland Bogodawatte under the close supervision of the Director, Directorate of Rehabilitation, offered its pride of place to religious observances, including an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony, plus a Heel Daana offered to members of the Maha Sangha.
Engineer Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence graced the commencing phase of the Pirith chanting ceremony as the Chief Guest, to be received by the Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Inspector General Police on arrival at the premises Monday (30) evening, prior to the commencement of the religious observances. Brigadier S. K. Tirunakarisu, Director, Rehabilitation and Colonel Roland Bogodawatte, Commandant, MSM were also associated with the reception of the Chief Guest on arrival.
The colourful procession (Perahera) carrying the sacred relic casket and Buddhist monks following began afterwards in accordance with Buddhist rites and rituals. Eng. Hettiarachchi respectfully carried the sacred relic casket and it was followed by the taking of the sacred ‘Piruwana Potha’ in the procession before they were placed in the octagon, ‘Pirith Mandapaya’. Offer of Deheth Wattiya (tray of betel) afterwards to Maha Sangha, led by Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, Anu Nayake Thera of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabhawa and Viharadhikari at Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya by Colonel Roland Bogodawatte, Commandant, MSM formally inviting the monks to commence chanting, took place a few minutes later. An Anusasanawa (oration), delivered later on invoked blessings on recuperating war Heroes and the MSM’s 5th anniversary.
Offer of Heel Daana to 30 monks were to culminate the anniversary programmes at the MSM, the following morning (31).
Mr. S. Hettiarachchi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Major General Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff, Major General Sumedha Perera, Deputy Chief of Staff and a group of tri service senior officers attended the ceremony.
