3rd Religious Ceremony at Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa Blesses Army's Forward March

The third religious ceremony of Buddhist faith in sequence to bless the forthcoming 73rd Army anniversary (October 10) got underway this morning (28) at the most hallowed Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth) in Kandy where sacred 'Shareerika' relics remain enshrined for veneration.

The guiding leadership of the organization, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army as the main protagonist for the day's inauguration of blessings in Kandy arrived at the Maligawa premises, sharp at 9.15 am to be received by Major General TJ Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff in the company of Major General MKS Silva RWP RSP ndu, Commander, Security Forces-Central, Major General PSK Sanjeewa RWP RSP USP, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division, Major General MGWWWMCB Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, Adjutant General, Brigadier K A U Kodithuwakku RSP USP psc IG, Director Personnel Administration and few other Senior Officers.

In conformity with traditions, multi-coloured Army flags of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, all Security Force Headquarters, Forward Maintenance Areas, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Training Centres and formations across the country that add symbolic value to the living memory and the dignity of the organization which has been fondly recognized as the ‘Protectors of the Nation’, took the centre-stage of attraction as those flags were taken respectfully in procession to the upper chamber of the Dalada Maligawa by representative Officers/Non Commissioned Officers of each unit, led by the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage.

As the Head of the organization, the Commander of the Army carried the Sri Lanka Army Flag at the front of the procession and all those flags were subsequently delivered to the monks in charge of the ‘Thevava’ at the upper chamber where chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ and conduct of religious observances, invoked blessings on the Army’s long journey for defence of the country. Representative Senior Officers after religious observances received the flags and handed over them to relevant appointees afterwards. The Army Chief at the same occasion symbolically presented a cash cheque to be used for further development of this most-venerated sacred place on behalf of all in the Army.

The Anunayake (deputy chief prelate) of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven Wendaruwe Upali Thero who performed religious rites in the upper chamber accepted the donation. In his brief oration (Anushasana), he spoke high of the achievements that have been hitherto made by the Army for the greater benefit of all Sri Lankans and betterment of the country as the organization that salvaged the country from a three-decade of blood-shed and recent violence.

The whole of the arrangement, meticulously organized by the 11 Division Headquarters in Pallekele, Kandy under the close supervision of its General Officer Commanding was next poised for the second segment of the day's blessing ceremonies.

The Commander then joined the offer of ‘Gilanpasa’ and the 'Buddha Pooja' to the shrine in the lower chamber before he participated in the offer of alms (Sangeeka Daana) to the Buddhist monks who were conducted in procession to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth) compound on account of the anniversary arrangements. Ven Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero and Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero delivered orations (anushasana) and commended the Army's eventful 73 years of existence and its diverse multiple roles which have been launched for the best interests of the Nation. Offer of 'Pariskara' to venerable members of the Maha Sangha by the Army Chief and other representative Officers and Other Ranks brought the religious ceremonies in Kandy to culmination.

The country's leading guarantor for defence with an unmatched record of gallantry and selfless sacrifices, now engaged in a variety of multi-faceted national security and nation-building tasks of formidable nature was founded on 10 October 1949 as the Ceylon Army forming its first regular force under the command of Brigadier Roderick Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness through the Army Act No. 17 of 1949. Blossomed into a full-fledged Army during its life-span in the past 73 years, the Sri Lanka Army to-date had been effectively commanded by 24 Commanders, elevating the organization to impressive heights. Its expansion with 25 Regiments has won the hearts and minds of all ethnicities across the country as the most people-friendly security provider.