THE SPLENDOURS of Anuradhapura annual ‘Poson’ festival assumed more colourfulness and grandeur in the past four days (June 24 – 27) when seven decorated mobile floats, dispatched by Army Headquarters, on the instructions of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, along with groups of soldiers, rent the air in Anuradhapura with melodious devotional songs of Poson relevance and significance.
Over 150 woman soldiers and soldiers of Sinha Regiment (SR), Gajaba Regiment (GR), Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR), Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) and Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) in Anuradhapura, aboard those multi-coloured seven illuminated mobile floats visited Mihintale, Vijithapura, Aukana, Anuradhapura old and new bus terminals, Isurumuniya, Ruwanweliseya, Mirisawetiya, Dahaiyagama Junction, Salgado esplanade, Ranasewapura and several other areas, usually frequented by Poson pilgrims and recalled legendary memories of the arrival of Arahat Mihindu Thera, some thousands of years ago. In addition, separate groups staged their presentations at different venues.
The spectacular display of this devotional song ‘Bhakthi Gee’ recital for about four hours in different areas after an absence of nearly 30 years offered a novel sight and attracted the pilgrims en masse, as the floats paused at different locations for performance, to the music provided by respective regimental bands. Those elaborate Army arrangements, organized directly by the Army Headquarters in Colombo on a concept, proposed by none other than the Commander himself, caught the attention of the devotees and the general public.
In the meantime, a Poson lantern competition organized in Anuradhapura by the Provincial Council for North Central Province won the first place for the Army’s creative lantern presented to the exhibition. Soldiers belonging to 4 Sri Lanka Army Services Corps (4 SLASC) received Rs. 50,000/= in cash as the first prize. Similarly, the second prize of Rs. 35,000/= for the best Poson creation went to the soldiers at Engineer Service Regiment (ESR) Training School. Civil organizations as well as tri services and the Police had produced their decorative lanterns to the competition. Anuradhapura Area Commander Colonel Athula Ariyaratne inaugurated the first day departure of those floats after a brief ceremony both at Mirisawetiya and New Bus Stand.
District Secretariat for Anuradhapura maintained that over 19 lakhs of devotees flocked to Anuradhapura during June 24 – 27 on account of Poson.
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