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Elaborate arrangements are now underway to mark the forthcoming 62nd Army Anniversary and Army Day (October 10) under the direction of Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, giving pride of place to religious observances.
The precursor to the commemorative events, the inaugural Army Flag blessing ceremony at the most sacred Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi precincts with the participation of the Commander of the Army will take place on October 1, 2011 as is the practice every year. Pirith chanting by members of the Maha Sangha, headed by Ven Pallegama Sirinivasabhidana Nayaka Thero, Atamastanadhipathi, is to invoke blessings on the Army and its onward march at the same occasion as all Army Flags remain laid at the substratum (Udamaluwa) around the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya.
Hindu religious observances at Sri Bala Selvanayagam Moorthi Kovil (Captain Garden’s Kovil), Maradana, Islamic religious rites and rituals at Dawatagaha Jumma Mosque and Christian service at Cathedral Church, Galle Face are to complete the first phase of the anniversary celebrations before the Army Day (October 10) is marked.
An all-night Pirith chanting ceremony on October 7, at Panagoda Army Cantonment, followed by an alms-giving to members of the Maha Sangha, the following day culminates this year’s religious observances.
The final highlights of the Army Day ceremonies on October 10 include a military parade that represents all regiments and colours in the Army at Panagoda Army Cricket Grounds and Commander’s Army Day address to the troops, followed by an all rank tea party, minutes after the address.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch, is expected to visit inmates at the Colombo Military Hospital on the same day, and give away gift parcels to them as a token of his concern towards their commitment and sacrifices. The day’s highlights come to a close the same day (October 10) with an all rank dinner for fellowship and goodwill.
The revived Army Dinner Dance open to all ranks after absence of so many years is scheduled to take place on 15 October. The final leg of the year’s commemorative ceremonies, the annual Army Dinner Dance serves as a move to instill age-old customs and traditions among the current generation of servicemen and enhance their quality of socializing. The event organized by a committee is to be restricted to a maximum of about 750 couples due to space constraints. (Ends)
