09th December 2020 17:07:21 Hours
The three-week long 'Pirith' Chanting ceremony at Independence Square, initiated by the Army in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, Navy and Air Force to invoke spiritual blessings on the country for eradication of the epidemic, drew to a close this morning (9) with the offer of 'Heel Daana' (breakfast) to those monastery-resident monks who performed the continuous chanting.
Hon Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest joined the concluding chanting session (Hamara Piritha) last evening (8) and performed religious observances, offered Buddha Pooja 'Gilanpasa', invited the monks and listened to the recital of 'Maha Pirith', together with Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Chief Justice, Secretary Defence, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Mr Ishara Nanayakkara and his spouse, Chairman LOLC (main sponsors of the event) and a gathering of spouses, tri service Officers, Senior Police Officers and other devotees.
On 18 November, HE the President as the Chief Guest invited the gathering of prominent members of the Maha Sangha to commence the chanting in accordance with age-old Buddhist traditions for three weeks. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva with the best of cooperation, extended by Secretary Defence, sister services and the Police, state officials and others under the guidelines given by Ven.Pahala Vitiyela Jananandabidana Thero, Chief Incumbent at Sri Kalyani Yogashrma monastic temple in Bauddhaloka Mawatha meticulously organized the event. Army, Navy and Air Force troops took turns and arranged the smooth conduct of chanting respectively.
Culminating the chanting ceremony, a total of 75 Buddhist monks were offered 'Heel Daana' by tri forces troops this morning (9) where Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunarathna, Secretary Defence, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and Air Force Commanders, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, sponsors and senior tri service officers also took part.
The conclusion of the 21-day chanting expects to distribute 100,000 blessed 'Pirith' water containers among all tri service establishments, Police, COVID-19 affected areas of the country. Similarly, blessed water is to be sprinkled from the air expecting divine blessings. In addition, 700 Buddha statues were also distributed among temples across the country on account of the event. jordan Sneakers | nike air max 95 obsidian university blue book list
