A rousing reception plus a rare gesture of emotional depth, associated with sense of 'belonging', greeted the new Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake when he made his maiden journey to his native place, Siyambalangamuwa in Kurunegala on Saturday (31) upon assumption of office as 20th Commander of the Army.
It was a blend of religious ceremonies, public receptions, ceremonial openings, interaction with natives, lunch treats, common-touch, sentimental attachment to birthplace, and a host of other related events, organized by the village temple, fellow-villagers, relatives and well-wishers in Siyambalangamuwa area.
They all, numbering over 2000, gathered at the village school ground, eagerly anticipating the sight of their comrade, 'Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Daya Ratnayake', the first-ever Commander produced from their village.
Villagers, in the company of three of the Commander's own sisters and relatives offering betel sheaves welcomed Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake on arrival at the venue and conducted to the special dais in a colourful procession, comprised of Kandyan 'Ves' dancers.
Ven.Thibbotupitiye Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent at Siyambalangamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya and Deputy Sangha Nayake for Ihala Dolospattuwa, administered 'Pansil' and performed religious observances before the oil lamp was lit traditionally.
Mr D Hitisekara, District Secretary for Wayamba, Mr Jayantha Wijeratne, Chief Secretary for Wayamba province, Mr E. D Amarasekera, Chief secretary for Uva Province, Mr Upali Ratnayake, Director, Kurunegala Cooperative Society and Ms W Pilapitiya, Divisional Secretary were among those who graced the public reception in the school ground.
Soon after brief speeches, made by two other leading villagers, Ven. Thibbotupitiye Dhammananda Nayaka Thera delivered his 'anusasana' (oration), recalling the memories of Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake's close affinity with the village temple and how he rose to the pinnacle of his career as a devoted officer, defending the interests of his motherland.
In his grateful thanks, the Commander reminisced about his parents in a respected note and his youth and paid tribute to the village temple's monk who moulded his character, showing the way forward. In a similar vein, he remembered village adults, principals and teachers by name, paying a glittering tribute to their memory and commitment before he spoke a bit of his mind out on that historic occasion.
" It appears that the harmony and co-existence in our village has also been affected by political groups and such divisions are always detrimental to collective roles in the village.This should not be so. I urge all the youngsters to join hands together and reach exemplary heights in their professions in the future, bringing honour to our native place, " the Commander said in his brief speech to the reception.
Minutes after the public welcome, the Commander made a beeline to his village temple, made offerings to the Buddha, offered a replica of a pagoda to the incumbent monk and visited his old "Daham" school precincts, refreshing the memories he has had during Daham school days.
In another exceptional move, the Commander afterwards went to his ancestral home, 'Maha Gedara' for a collective lunch treat, organized by the villagers. Over 2000 villagers shared lunch with the visiting Commander on the occasion and interacted with him for more than two hours, exchanging pleasantries. A musical entertainment, attended by 'Ranaviru Real Stars' provided entertainment as village youths themselves flocked together to lend their voices to Army musicians.
During the remainder of his itinerary in his native area, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake was invited to unveil the newly-built archway, 'Wahalkada' at Kirindigalla Sri Meghagiri temple in close proximity to his native place where a ceremony, chaired by Ven.Magurugoda Dhammananda Nayake Thero welcomed and appreciated the Commander's arrival there.
The new archway has been built by Mr Tikiri Banda, the 'Loku Appachchi' (father's eldest brother) of the Commander of the Army who was present at the occasion. Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake made a brief speech to the event.
A host of state officials, members of the Dayaka Sabha and villagers attended the occasion.
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