Header Block Sinhala

ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව

ජාතියේ ආරක්ෂකයා

Splendours of 'Poson' Festival Assumes More Colourfulness And Grandeur As SVAB Joins Army In Devotional Song Presentation

A rare spectacle of ‘Poson’ devotional songs, coloured with symbolic events of historic importance was staged at the Army Gymnasium Panagoda by Army personnel and their family members on Sunday (19) evening before a galaxy of distinguished guests.  Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya accompanied by President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The colourful evening, organized by the Army together with the SVAB on the directives given by Commander of the Army with the support of the President SVAB, included the symbolic depiction of important events of life of the Buddha, the arrival of Ven Mihindu Thero in Sri Lanka, and a series of ancient Buddhist traditions and different sagas. Turning a new page in the history of the Sri Lanka Army, the children and spouses of senior officers of the Army including the daughter of the Commander of the Army joined the others in portraying various acting roles on the stage. Cultural troupes of the Army added their voice to the occasion reciting devotional songs that were associated with Poson, Buddhist rites and rituals, patriotic sentiments, etc.

On arrival, the Chief Guest and Mrs. Jayasuriya were received according to ancient traditions by two children after offering betel leaves. The day’s itinerary started rolling with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Commander of the Army together with the President SVAB Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, followed by the welcome speech of the President Army Buddhist Association and Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Major General D. R. A. B. Jayathilake. The Army Buddhist Association played a major role in organizing this event together with the SVAB.
   
A host of other guests including former Army Commanders, Senior Army Officers as well as their spouses enjoyed the evening amidst a large gathering of senior SVAB members, officers, soldiers and disable War Heroes.