(Media Communiqué)
The symbolic Flag Blessing ceremony of the Army at Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, precursor to the forthcoming Army Day (October 10) and 63rd Army Anniversary, will take place on October 1 with the participation of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and representative officers of all regiments in the Army.
The customary religious ceremony, led by Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasabhidhana Nayaka Thero, Atamastanadhipathi and Incumbent at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, together with several chief monks, symbolically invokes blessings on all Regimental and field formation flags after they are laid on a bed of jasmine flowers at the foot of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, along with the Army Flag. Holding respective Flags aloft, representative officers are to parade thrice around the sacred Bodhiya in veneration before they are laid for blessings at the Udamaluwa.
The Army, raised in October 1949 as the country’s most formidable land force to be reckoned with, is now comprised of 24 regiments, including volunteer ones and engaged in a multiplicity of nation-building development projects soon after its landmark victory over terrorism in the year 2009.
Hindu religious ceremony, organized by the Army Hindu Association at Sri Ponnampalam Vaneshwar Kovil at Kotahena, Colombo 13 for the same purpose, will take place on October 2, where flags are to be symbolically blessed in accordance with Hindu traditions. The Army Chief, together with officers of Hindu faith attends the special Pooja as the Chief Guest.
This year’s Islamic religious ceremony at famous Davatagaha Jumma mosque and shrine at Eye Hospital Junction on the following day (October 3) has been organized by the Sri Lanka Army Muslims’ Association. Prayers are to be attended by a representative gathering of Muslim officers, together with the Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.
Commemoration and Thanks Giving service of the Christian faith on October 4 at All Saints’ Church at Borella, Colombo 8, is to be officiated by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese-Ratnapura at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Army Christian Fellowship Association. Clergy of Baptist, Methodist and Anglican Church, Commander of the Army, past Commanders and spouses, representative officers and invitees are scheduled to take part in the special service on that evening.
Preceding religious ceremonies draw to a close on October 5 with an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony plus an alms-giving to 63 monks, the following day at Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya (Army temple).
The peak of the year’s anniversary events gets underway on 10 October (Army Day) with a series of military events at CR & FC grounds, Colombo 7 where Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, is the Chief Guest.
Upon the Commander’s inspection of the Guard Turn Out, presented in his honour, the formal inauguration of the day’s proceedings begins with the Commander’s hoisting of the Army Flag and recital of the Army Song, adding sentiments of patriotism and grandeur to the occasion.
Soon after the two-minute silence in honour of the memory of all fallen and missing War Heroes, the day’s highlight, the ceremonial parade with regimental colours, will salute the Commander after the colourfully-attired Parade Commander reports it in accordance with military traditions.
Next, is the Commander’s customary address to all troops in the Army, in which the Commander is expected to evaluate and appreciate multiple development roles, being pursued by the Army in the post-conflict Sri Lanka.
The second segment of the Army Day programme comprises the Commander’s visit to Attidiya Mihindu Seth Medura for distribution of gift parcels among more than 50 dependent War Heroes, residing there. He will be accompanied by senior officers and Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch. A special tea table, organized for all ranks at Army Headquarters, the same evening culminates the day’s programme.
Army ‘Dinner Dance’, revived last year after absence of more than 30 years as one of the pioneering social and entertaining events in the Army calendar, will take place on 13 October, bringing anniversary programmes to an end. Proceeds from the ‘Dinner Dance’ are to be used for welfare work of disable War Heroes and Army families. (Ends)
The symbolic Flag Blessing ceremony of the Army at Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, precursor to the forthcoming Army Day (October 10) and 63rd Army Anniversary, will take place on October 1 with the participation of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and representative officers of all regiments in the Army. The customary religious ceremony, led by Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasabhidhana Nayaka Thero, Atamastanadhipathi and Incumbent at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, together with several chief monks, symbolically invokes blessings on all Regimental and field formation flags after they are laid on a bed of jasmine flowers at the foot of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, along with the Army Flag. Holding respective Flags aloft, representative officers are to parade thrice around the sacred Bodhiya in veneration before they are laid for blessings at the Udamaluwa.
The Army, raised in October 1949 as the country’s most formidable land force to be reckoned with, is now comprised of 24 regiments, including volunteer ones and engaged in a multiplicity of nation-building development projects soon after its landmark victory over terrorism in the year 2009.
Hindu religious ceremony, organized by the Army Hindu Association at Sri Ponnampalam Vaneshwar Kovil at Kotahena, Colombo 13 for the same purpose, will take place on October 2, where flags are to be symbolically blessed in accordance with Hindu traditions. The Army Chief, together with officers of Hindu faith attends the special Pooja as the Chief Guest.
This year’s Islamic religious ceremony at famous Davatagaha Jumma mosque and shrine at Eye Hospital Junction on the following day (October 3) has been organized by the Sri Lanka Army Muslims’ Association. Prayers are to be attended by a representative gathering of Muslim officers, together with the Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.
Commemoration and Thanks Giving service of the Christian faith on October 4 at All Saints’ Church at Borella, Colombo 8, is to be officiated by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese-Ratnapura at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Army Christian Fellowship Association. Clergy of Baptist, Methodist and Anglican Church, Commander of the Army, past Commanders and spouses, representative officers and invitees are scheduled to take part in the special service on that evening.
Preceding religious ceremonies draw to a close on October 5 with an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony plus an alms-giving to 63 monks, the following day at Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya (Army temple).
The peak of the year’s anniversary events gets underway on 10 October (Army Day) with a series of military events at CR & FC grounds, Colombo 7 where Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, is the Chief Guest.
Upon the Commander’s inspection of the Guard Turn Out, presented in his honour, the formal inauguration of the day’s proceedings begins with the Commander’s hoisting of the Army Flag and recital of the Army Song, adding sentiments of patriotism and grandeur to the occasion.
Soon after the two-minute silence in honour of the memory of all fallen and missing War Heroes, the day’s highlight, the ceremonial parade with regimental colours, will salute the Commander after the colourfully-attired Parade Commander reports it in accordance with military traditions.
Next, is the Commander’s customary address to all troops in the Army, in which the Commander is expected to evaluate and appreciate multiple development roles, being pursued by the Army in the post-conflict Sri Lanka.
The second segment of the Army Day programme comprises the Commander’s visit to Attidiya Mihindu Seth Medura for distribution of gift parcels among more than 50 dependent War Heroes, residing there. He will be accompanied by senior officers and Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch. A special tea table, organized for all ranks at Army Headquarters, the same evening culminates the day’s programme.
Army ‘Dinner Dance’, revived last year after absence of more than 30 years as one of the pioneering social and entertaining events in the Army calendar, will take place on 13 October, bringing anniversary programmes to an end. Proceeds from the ‘Dinner Dance’ are to be used for welfare work of disable War Heroes and Army families. (Ends)
