The festive atmosphere across the country on account of the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year made its presence at Colombo Malay Cricket Club Grounds throughout Friday (11) morning when both officers and soldiers at the Army Headquarters, got together to commemorate the event by holding a New Year festival, giving priority to traditional and fun-making folk games and collective events.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake took time off to attend the festival, ‘Bakmaha Ulela 2014’ as the Chief Guest, together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU). Both of them were welcomed and conducted to the main venue by organizers.
Hoisting of the National and the Army flags by the Commander of the Army and Major General Crishantha de Silva, Chief of Staff respectively, signaled the formal commencement of the day’s event, followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Commander and a few other senior officers.
One-minute silence as is the practice in all Army events, honoured the memory of fallen War Heroes after the National anthem and the Army song were sung by all those who were present to the tune of the Army Band.
Senior officers at the Army Headquarters, senior SVAB members, Other Ranks, invitees and members of the civil staff enjoyed the events in the New Year festival which added fun and amusement.
Raban playing, Cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, pillow-fights, grease pole climbing, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (new year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (new year prince), eye-placing on the Elephant, bun-eating, slow cycling, marathon runs, fancy dress parades and a number of other traditional and fun-making games dominated the day’s proceedings to the much amusement of all the onlookers.
At the end of the festival, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and several senior officers gave away gifts and trophies to the winners in different events and competitions. A buffet lunch and refreshments culminated the day’s agenda with Officers and all Ranks collectively partaking.
Meanwhile, before the commencement of the New Year festival, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) inaugurated a led Multi Media screen erected at the entrance to the Army Headquarters.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake took time off to attend the festival, ‘Bakmaha Ulela 2014’ as the Chief Guest, together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU). Both of them were welcomed and conducted to the main venue by organizers.
Hoisting of the National and the Army flags by the Commander of the Army and Major General Crishantha de Silva, Chief of Staff respectively, signaled the formal commencement of the day’s event, followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Commander and a few other senior officers.
One-minute silence as is the practice in all Army events, honoured the memory of fallen War Heroes after the National anthem and the Army song were sung by all those who were present to the tune of the Army Band.
Senior officers at the Army Headquarters, senior SVAB members, Other Ranks, invitees and members of the civil staff enjoyed the events in the New Year festival which added fun and amusement.
Raban playing, Cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, pillow-fights, grease pole climbing, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (new year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (new year prince), eye-placing on the Elephant, bun-eating, slow cycling, marathon runs, fancy dress parades and a number of other traditional and fun-making games dominated the day’s proceedings to the much amusement of all the onlookers.
At the end of the festival, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and several senior officers gave away gifts and trophies to the winners in different events and competitions. A buffet lunch and refreshments culminated the day’s agenda with Officers and all Ranks collectively partaking.
Meanwhile, before the commencement of the New Year festival, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake together with Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) inaugurated a led Multi Media screen erected at the entrance to the Army Headquarters.
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