26th May 2016 05:37:29 Hours
Several sub-headquarters including Divisions, Forward Maintenance Areas ,Brigades and Battalions serving island- wide Security Force Headquarters organized different programmes, inclusive of religious observances, free eateries (Dansel), display of lanterns and other colourful decorations to commemorate the annual Vesak day which fell on 21 May.
21 Division of the Security Force Headquarters – Wanni (SFHQ – W) staged a Bethi Gee (devotional songs) concert at Sulugulu Rajamaha Vihara premises in Mihintalaya under the guidance of Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, SFHQ – W on Saturday (21).
On the same day, Sago Dansala in the morning and rice Dansela at night organized by the same troops got underway attracting several hundreds of devotees.
Chief incumbent and other monks at Sulugulu Rajamaha Vihara, the Commander, SFHQ – W, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 21 Division, Senior Officers, Officers, other ranks and a large gathering of civilians participated in the progarmmes.
Similarly, several Dansel organized jointly by the troops of the 12 Division, 121 Brigade and 18 Gemunu Watch (GW) serving under the Security Force Headquarters – Central (SFHQ – C) on the directions of the GOC – 12 Division at Kumbukkana School Ground on Vesak Day (21), served more the 10, 000 devotees in the area. .
Meanwhile, troops of the 122 Brigade serving the same Division and the SFHQ held a medical clinic at the Dharma Hall in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya on Saturday (21). The event was coordinated by the Devala authorities and Help-age project on account of the Vesak day.
Likewise, the troops of 3 SLNG gave their support to the same Devala authorities to organize and conduct a Dansela at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya premises on the same day.
Meanwhile, the troops of the same Division at the SFHQ-C conducted Bhakthi Gee, a presentation of devotional songs, display of Vesak lanterns, ice cream Dansela and decorations, etc with active support of all the formations under the 11 Division and students of Nalanda Buddhist College.
In the meantime, troops of the Forward Maintenance Area – East (FMA- E), Training Schools, Battalions, Logistic Units, under the guidance of SFHQ-E added their creative skills and put up a Vesak zone at the Army Cantonment , Minneriya during 21-23 May.
Another significant feature of the festival was the presentation of Bhakthi Gee (devotional songs), conducted by students at Hingurakgoda educational Zone on the approval of the Zonal Director of Education, Hingurakgoda.
Many of who were the winners in the lantern competition, received gifts from the distinguished guests and special gifts and certificates were awarded to school students in appreciation of their contribution to the success of the Bhakthi Gee concert.
Meanwhile, on the directives of Major General P.U.S Vithanage, Commander, Security Force - Mullaittivu, troops of the 59 Division and the 68 Division on the same day conducted two free eating programmes and display of Vesak lanterns at Mullaittivu town and Pudikuduiruppu town with the objective of further promoting the reconciliation among all communities in the area.
Religious leaders and Mrs. R Kethiswari , District Secretary of Mullaittive District together with several senior Army officers participated in the events.
Likewise, troops of the 64 Division launched elaborate Vesak including free eating programmes on the direction of Commander, Security Force - Mullaittivu at Oddusudan junction with the active support of respective commanders in the Brigades and Battalions and all ranks.
Lanterns crafted by the 13 Sri Lanka National Guard, 23 Vijyabahu Infantry Regiment and 14 Sri Lanka Sinaha Regiment were adjudged as the first, second and third places respectively. Commander 641 Brigade gave away prizes to the winners of the Lanterns competition.
Troops of Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps (SLAPC) Regiment also organized different religious programmes to commemorate Vesak Day under the guidance of the Centre Commandant- SLAPC during 21- 23 May.
Divisional Commanders, Forward Maintenance Area Commanders, Brigade Commanders, Senior Officers, other ranks and a large gathering of civilians of those respective areas participated in the Vesak Day ceremonies, organized by the troops in those areas.
Meanwhile, the 23 Division troops serving the SFHQ-E conducted a Bhakthi Gee (devotional songs) and a display of Vesak lanterns in the Vesak zone in Punani during May 21-23.
Those troops on the directions of the General Officer Commanding, 23 Division also organized a book distributing programme for school children in Welikanda and Punani areas on May 21 as a measure to help the children of low-income groups.
