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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

21st May 2022 22:24:28 Hours

Island-wide Troops Add Their Share to Festival of Lights & Help Civilians

Practising the prominent Buddhist virtue of 'Daana' (Donation) during 'Vesak' season, Army troops of the 651, 652 and 653 Brigades under the 65 Division on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (15) offered special lunch packets to residential patients, staff and low-income group families in adjoining villages after calling at the hospital and adjoining villages.

Under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding, 65 Division Major General Anil Samarasiri and respective Brigade Commanders, 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 19 Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 24 Gajaba Regiment and 17 (V) Sri Lanka Light Infantry Battalions attended to the distribution programme. The project gave away 340 lunch packets.

Meanwhile, troops of the 20 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment under Command to the 12 Division of the Security Force HQ– Central held a free eatery (Dansal) of manioc in Gothamigama-Hambantota for the pilgrims at Kataragama under the supervision of Major General Lanka Amarapala, General Officer Commanding, In the meantime, with patronage received from Singapore's Tan Ngak Buay and Kee Meng Lang Foundation Limited, 541, 542 and 543 Brigade troops of the 54 Division of the Security Force HQ-Wanni conducted a donation of dry ration packs among needy families in Mannar district on account of the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on 14 May 2022.

With the guidance of the Commander Security Forces -Wanni, Major General Champaka Ranasinghe, the project was spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding 54 Division Major General Dharshana Wijesekara with the active support of all Brigade Commanders under the 54 Division.

The main event took place at Mathota Rajamaha Viharaya in the presence of the District Secretary for Mannar District, Mrs Stanley De Mel who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Clergy of all faiths, SSP Mannar, Commander, 541 Brigade, Volunteers, Donors and Civil Affairs Officer, Commanding Officers, officers, State officials, Grama Niladhari officials who selected beneficiaries and low-income families participated in the event.

542 and 543 Brigade troops organized the events under the supervision of Brigade Commanders parallel to the main event on the same day. The close coordination of Ven Talagala Sumanarathana Thero of Sri Siddhartha Foundation enabled the troops to carry out with the project.

Meanwhile, 18 Vijayabahu Infantry (VIR) Regiment troops of the 241 Brigade under command to the 24 Division offered dry ration packets to 25 needy families living in Karthivu, Kalmunai area on 16 May on account of the Vesak day. Generous Officers and Other Ranks of 18 VIR got together and sponsored the cost of those essentials, considering their helpless nature.

The beneficiaries were selected in close collaboration with respective Grama Niladhari officials of the area and the distribution programme got underway at Karthivu Multi-Functional Hall.

Lieutenant Colonel S. R. K. D Sirisena, Commanding Officer of 18 VIR, Major K S Harisena, Civil Affairs Officer of 241 Infantry Brigade, together with Officers and Other Ranks participated in the event.

Likewise, 59 Division troops under command to the Security Force HQ–Mullaittivu also held a Veask Bathigee Session (Display of Devotional Songs) at the Divisional Headquarters in Mullaithivu during Veask Full Moon Poya day.

Troops of under-command Brigades and Battalions enthusiastically organized the event under the supervision of Major General G.D Sooriyabandara, General Officer Commanding 59 Division.Major General Sanjaya Wanasingha, Commander, Security Forces – Mullaithivu attended the inauguration as the Chief Guest.

In the same manner, the coordination of Ven Thalagala Sumanarathana Thero, Chairman, Thalagala Siddhartha Foundation and sponsorship given by Singapore's 'Tan Ngk and Kee Meng Leg Foundation Limited' enabled 57 Division troops to do a series of community-oriented projects on account of the Vesak commemoration on 16 May.

As the first event troops, distributed 1500 dry ration packets on to needy families living in Vishwamadu area and 572 Brigade troops distributed 300 coconut saplings to the people who were present to receive those dry ration packets at Vishwamadu Central College premises. Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe Commander of Security Force Headquarters Mullattive graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

In parallel to the event, 573 Brigade troops also distributed 500 dry ration packets among needy families in Malayapuram area under the supervision of Brigadier Chandimal Peiris, General Officer Commanding 57 Division.

Similarly, 571 Brigade troops also distributed 500 dry ration packets among deserving families in the Killinochchi area at the Facility Centre at Killinochchi. In the evening (16), with a sponsorship given by Mr. Indika, a philanthropist living in the area, ice cream was served to people in Kilinochchi town as a part of the project.

Again, sponsorship provided by Ven Thalagala Sumanaratana Thero's Sri Siddhartha Foundation, 513 Brigade troops initiated a free dry ration packet distribution to some 1500 among low-income groups resident in the area served by the 51 Division on 19 May. The event was organized with the blessings of the General Officer Commanding 51 Division Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe, to be in line with the CIMIC plan and the Vesak season.

The programme was implemented by the Commanding Officers of 11 Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 16 (V) Gamunu Watch and the troops after religious observances were made at Naga Viharaya International Buddhist Center. Commander 513 Brigade Colonel Rizvi Razick supported the project and closely supervised it.

The General Officer Commanding 51 Division graced the occasion as the chief guest with the Chief Incumbent at Naga Viharaya International Buddhist Center, Venerable Meegahajandure Siriwimala Thera, senior officers, officers, other ranks, distinguished invitees, and civil community.

In addition, the distribution of dry ration packs took place in the Bishops House, Pachchey Mosque in Jaffna and Mutthumariamman Kovil - Keeramalei premises as well on account of the Vesak season.