13th December 2022 18:30:03 Hours
The annual train journey with ‘Pirith’ chanting Buddhist monks from Beliatta to Kankesanthurai, organized by the Kavudumunna Raja Maha Viharaya at Dambadeniya, together with the Bosath Foundation at Bujjomuwa Railway Station arrived at Kankesanthurai railway station on Sunday (11) to be received by troops of the Security Force Headquarters-Jaffna (SFHQ-J).
The train journey with 17 Buddhist monks and 400 devotees, led by Ven Ginnaliye Ayupala Thero is an annual event and intends to promote sprits of peace, reconciliation and harmony among people of all ethnicities.
The Buddhist delegation with a consignment of dry rations, gift parcels and relief items for distribution among the poor upon arrival at Kankesanthurai made offerings to the Tissa Viharaya where SFHQ-J troops with sister services offered ‘Gilanpasa’ and alms to the monks and meals to the participants. Troops also supported the distribution of relief items and other donations brought by the visitors among 250 needy families in the Jaffna peninsula. In addition, troops assisted the distribution of 150 gift packs among pregnant women and 250 more stationery packs among deserving students. The visiting monks and devotees had sponsored the distribution in a move to strengthen the goodwill between Jaffna people and southerners on tour.
Major General Sanjeewa Fernando, General Officer Commanding, 52 Infantry Division on behalf of the SFHQ-Jaffna took part in the distribution of those relief packs among deserving people in the peninsula.
Jaffna-based religions dignitaries, Hon. Governor for Northern Province Mr. Jeevan Thiagarajah, Brigadier Clifford De Zoysa, Commander Forward Maintenance Area-North, Brigadier Dammika Karunapala, Brigadier General Staff at SFHQ-J, Brigadier Anura Bandara, Brigadier Admin and Quartering at SFHQ-J, Officers representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police as well as Kankesanthurai civilians were also associated with the two-day (11 & 12 December) programme at Kankesanthurai and Jaffna.
