Wandarammulla School Ground Glitters with New Year Spirits

23 Division Headquarters of the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) with the objective of promoting reconciliation and goodwill between civilians and members of the Armed Forces, held a Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival at Wandarammulla school grounds, Batticaloa on Sunday (22).

The event, supported by all three communities in Batticaloa got underway under the guidance of Brigadier Chula Abenayake, General Officer Commanding, 23 Division.

Major General Manoj Mudannayaka, Commander, Forward Maintenance Area - East (FMA-E) took time off to attend the festival as the Chief Guest. The hoisting of the National flag by the Chief Guest and lighting of the traditional oil lamp signaled the formal commencement of the day’s event.

Marathon races, bicycle races, competitions such as eye-placing on the elephant, grease pole climbing, pot cracking, pillow fighting, tracing of hidden guests, cadjan-weaving, coconut scraping, slow cycling, tug-of-war, musical chair, fancy dresses, counting of papaya seeds, selection of the new year prince and princess and several other traditional and fun-making games dominated the day’s proceedings to the much amusement of all the onlookers.

Participation of Tamil and Muslim civilians and offer of their support and patronage for prizes to the winners contributed to the promotion of goodwill and reconciliation among all ethnicities and members of the armed forces.

District Secretary for Batticaloa, Mr. Udaya Kumara, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division, Major General Aruna Jayasekara, General Officer Commanding, 23 Division, Brigadier Chula Abenayake, DIG for Batticaloa, Mr. Y.J Jagodaarachchi, Divisional Secretaries for Eraurpattu - Chenkalady, Mrs. M Mohideen, Brigadier General Staff, SFHQ - E, Brigadier Shantha Hewawitharana, Brigadier Administration and Quartering, SFHQ - E, Brigadier Michael Wanniarachchi, all Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers and a host of leading community leaders representing Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities attended this grand event.