Erasing the memories of the orgy of violence that dominated their lives for over three decades, the Jaffna populace, have now begun to reap the harvests of freedom and live as they wish by trying to overcome their string of traumatic experiences and bitter gun culture.
This was amply affirmed once again on Friday (23), judged by the packed and unprecedented crowds that thronged Jaffna’s Alfred Doraiappa Stadium when the Army for the first time in Jaffna’s history, inaugurated its three-day long ‘Searchlight Tattoo’ and declared it open to the public free of charge as a special gesture of goodwill .
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, as the Chief Guest ceremonially declared it open to the public for three days (March 23-25) beginning everyday at 3.00 p.m. Ms Imelda Sukumar, Jaffna District Secretary joined the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Since forenoon hours on Friday (23), hundreds of Jaffna youngsters, school children and people of all walks of life, seemingly with a new invigorating spirit, were seen lining up to have a glimpse of the year’s thrilling spectacle.
A large gathering of senior officers including Major General R.M.D Ratnayake, Chief of Staff, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, state officials, local politicians and other invitees were present.
Admission to the ‘Army Searchlight Tattoo’ at Jaffna Alfred Doraiappah Public Stadium, unlike in previous instances elsewhere, is gratis and made on first come first served basis due to space constraints.
The Army Searchlight Tattoo generally highlights an assortment of various undisputed skills of Army personnel, including conduct of mock simulation attacks and rescue of hostages, Army ceremonial features, free fall parachute jumps, dog shows, demonstration of the Bailey bridge construction, assembling of artillery guns and jeeps, stunt riding displays, talents of disable War Heroes, Ranabera and Bugle displays, physical training and fire work displays, drill displays, etc, perhaps never witnessed by northerners before, coincides with the state policy of taking all major events of importance to provincial levels whenever possible.
Sensational Parachute jumps of Army Commandos and Special Forces during the three-day spectacle in Jaffna are comprised of parachutists who represented Sri Lanka in several international competitions and championship tournaments. Recently, Army parachutists entered the finals in ‘accuracy landing’ category during the World Championship Tournament for Parachutists, held in China.
Special public transport services have been organized in and around Jaffna on all three days in connection with the event.
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