01st October 2021 19:04:27 Hours
One more segment of the Army's multi-religious ceremonies to mark the 72nd Army anniversary programmes, the special Christian mass, held at All Saints’ Church, Borella this afternoon (30) invoked divine blessings for the forward-march of the Sri Lanka Army in a solemn ceremony, graced by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence staff and Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest along with Army Officers.
The prayer session and the service, led by Rt.Rev. Dr J.D Anthony was arranged by Major General Shiran Abeysekera, Chairman, Army Christian Fellowship and its membership. After a warm welcome to the day’s Chief Guest on arrival, the Secretary to the Army Christian Fellowship Brigadier Lasantha Rodrigo delivered a brief welcome speech and spelt out the theme of the day’s service.
The Army Christian Fellowship-organized special thanks-giving ceremony was officiated after an introduction that spoke of the greatness of Lord Jesus and his divine blessings.
Rev. Heshan De Silva, Baptist Association, Chaplain of the Army Christian Fellowship afterwards delivered introductory comments, highlighting the importance of the commemoration of the Army anniversary and inviting everyone to join hymns. Blessings were then symbolically invoked on the Commander of the Army and all serving members, Army Flag and all Regimental Flags after the soldiers respectfully brought them inside and placed them at the foot of the altar in the holy precincts.
Around the same time, the Holy Service prayed for the souls of all fallen War Heroes in the battlefields and elsewhere while simultaneously wishing speedy recovery to all injured Army personnel, still under rehabilitation and recuperation, those who are serving as well as members of the families of all Army personnel.
Members of the clergy from St. Mary's Church, Bambalapitiya, Baptist Church, Methodist Church and Anglican Church as reverends officiated the Service and offered due recognition to the unfailing services of the Army.
General Shavendra Silva after the culmination of the special service made a financial donation towards the development of the holy shrine. General Daya Rathnayeke (Retd), Major General Priyantha Perera, Chief of Staff, Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Security Force Commanders, Senior Officers, Members of the Army Christian Fellowship, together with Army personnel attended the special service.
