23rd May 2016 23:43:07 Hours
Despite inclement weather conditions and the catastrophic disaster, caused by landslides and torrential rains, Buddhists across the country marked the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (May 21) with various Armisa (visible) and Prathipatthi (precepts) Pooja programmes. Of them, the Colombo remains the centre of attraction with thousands of Vesak sight-seers thronging the streets.
A section of officers and other rankers of the Army have actively contributed to the conduct of the ongoing Colombo Gangarama Vesak Zone and elsewhere round the country by producing a galaxy of Vesak lanterns, etc on the directions of the Commander of the Army in close cooperation with the Army Buddhist Association.
President Maithripala Sirisena together with Hon. Prime Minister attended the opening ceremony of the Gangarama Vesak Zone.
Army personnel have provided 25 colourful Vesak lanterns for the exhibition in the Gangarama Zone after decorating Gangarama and Galle Face areas with more than 1500 octagonal lanterns (Atapattam) and Buddhist flags on both roadsides.
Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army on Saturday (21) evening was also associated with the inaugural opening ceremony at Gangaramaya and Sirasa Vesak zone and watched several lanterns produced by the Army.
At Panagoda, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, President, Army Buddhist Association participated in a Buddha Pooja together with a record gathering of 6000 devotees, including civilians and members of Army families.
Ven Wehikala Kashyapa Thero and a group of Buddhist monks conducted the day’s Seela - Bhawana (meditation) programmes.
In addition, the winners in the Vesak lantern competition, organized by the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West) were given prizes at the end of the day’s programme at Panagoda.
On the full moon day (21), a float carrying Navy personnel singing devotional songs (Bhakthi Gee) toured Gangarama Zone and Colombo suburbs praising Thisarana and commemorating the virtues of the Buddha.
In addition, thousands of illuminations added colour and glitter to major buildings, used by the Army both in Colombo and elsewhere. Of them, the Army Headquarters’ arrangements shone prominently. All major formations, including Security Force Headquarters round the country have organized their own Vesak arrangements.
