08th June 2023 20:16:15 Hours
In parallel to the commemoration of the ‘Poson’ festival, 61 and 14 Infantry Divisions under the Security Force HQ-West contributed to the conduct of several religious programmes in their area of responsibility as per the directions of the Commander, Security Forces - West, Major General D.M.K.D.B Pussella RWP RSP.
Accordingly, one of the notable initiatives was the ‘Shramadana’ campaign joined by a contingent of Army personnel from 144 Infantry Brigade at Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya on Wednesday (31 May), as per the request made by the incumbent of the temple. During the project, Army personnel cleaned the surroundings and cut the weeds that had grown in and around the temple premises.
At the same time, a group of troops also gave their manpower to successfully run a rice and curry ‘Dansela’, organized by the Sadaham Sisila Buddhist Centre premises in Kelanimulla on Saturday (03 June).
Meanwhile, 3 (V) Gemunu Watch troops of the 613 Infantry Brigade under the 61 Infantry Division provided their assistance to erect the pagoda at Matara Randupata ‘Uposhathagara’ Rajamaha Viharaya known as ‘Parewi Duwa’ Temple on Saturday (03 June).
During the project, troops carried necessary raw materials, such as sand, bricks, and cement to the top of the hill to construct the pagoda of the temple together with the civilians in the area.
In the meantime, 14 Infantry Division troops provided their assistance to conduct the Poson zone themed “Pansil Rakina Lumbiniyak” organized by the Lumbini Vidyalaya, Colombo on Saturday (03 June) in the school premises. ‘Poson’ zone included a ‘Dansela’ and a variety of beautiful ‘Poson’ lanterns. The event invoked merits on fallen War Heroes and blessings for disabled soldiers, including late Lieutenant Colonel Lalith Jayasingha, who was an old boy of the same Lumbini Vidyalaya, Colombo.
Adding one more event to the ‘Poson’ Festival in the Puttalam area, troops of 143 Infantry Brigade Headquarters, 16 Battalion Gajaba Regiment and 1 Sri Lanka National Guard under 14 Infantry Division conducted a rice and curry ‘Dansela’ on Saturday (03 June) at the 143 Infantry Brigade Headquarters, Sellakandawatta, Puttalam.
The troops volunteered their time and resources to prepare a variety of mouth-watering Sri Lankan dishes with rice and traditional curries, which were served to more than 3000 devotees who were going on pilgrimage past Puttalam area during the ‘Poson’ festival.
Further, troops of 15 Drone Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery of 142 Infantry Brigade conducted a series of programmes along with the ‘Poson’ festival on 03 and 04 June 2023. The events commenced with the ‘Seela Samadi’ project followed by ‘Bodhi Pooja and a Sermon’ in the evening. Then, a replica of the ‘Mihinthalaya’ was ceremonially illuminated near the main entrance. At the same time, the troops also organized a Jak fruit ‘Dansela’ in front of the main entrance of Panaluwa Camp for the devotees in the early hours of Sunday (03 June).
Moreover, respective General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders along with Commanding Officers closely monitored the Army’s commitment towards ‘Poson’ festival and instructed accordingly.
