All formations across the country including Security Force Headquarters, Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, Training Institutes and Units on directions of respective Commanders and Commandants, contributed actively to the country’s mammoth commemoration of the ‘Thrice Blessed Day’, more popularly known as ‘Vesak’.
All officers and other rankers at the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN), organizing its ‘Vesak’ arrangements, themed on ‘Co-Existence and Reconciliation’, launched the conduct of free eating houses (Dansel) and Bodhi Poojas, display of colourful Vesak lanterns, offer of blood to the Vavuniya hospital and several other projects on the directions of Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, SFHQ-KLN.
Both the Dansela and the display of Vesak lanterns at the Kilinochchi Madya Maha Vidyala grounds during May 3-4 drew a huge gathering of civilians who are interested in sight-seeing during the Vesak. The inaugural opening of the exhibition of lanterns and the free eatery (Dansela) was attended by Additional District Secretary for Kilinochchi Mr. S. Sathyaseelan as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Brigadier H.D.W Kariyawasam, Commander Forward Maintenance Area (FMA), Kilinochchi on behalf of the Commander SFHQ-KLN, Divisional Secretary for Kilinochchi, G. Nageshwaran and a few other senior officers.
In addition, more than 200 Army personnel on the Full Moon Poya Day (3), donated blood to the bank at Vavuniya hospital, following coordination done by the 57 Division during arrangements at the Kilinochchi Harmony Centre. On the same day, another ‘Dansela’ to distribute biscuits and refreshments among sight-seers was conducted in front of the SFHQ-KLN premises.
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66 Division troops under the SFHQ-KLN meanwhile, organized a ‘Vesak Zone’ on 03 May 2015 in Pooneryn area to enhance harmony and mutual understanding among all communities.
It became very attractive with colourful ‘Vesak Lanterns’ created by Army troops and the ‘Dansala’ took a very special place among the civilian spectators. Approximately 2000 civilians participated in this event and enjoyed free generosity offered by the troops on account of Vesak.
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Meanwhile, ‘Vesak’ arrangements of the Security Force Headquarters, Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) got underway on the ‘Vesak’ day (3) with the unveiling of the newly constructed protective wall of the Ananda Bodhiya at Muladeepa Viharaya and its new Buddha Shrine.
Organized on the directions of Major General Jagath Dias, Commander Security Forces Headquarters (SFHQ-MLT), Venerable Thissapura Gunerathana Thero, Chief Incumbent Kokilai Raja Maha Viharaya, together with a few Buddhist monks, chanted Pirith while Major General Jagath Dias, Commander, SFHQ-MLT as the Chief Guest opened both the shrine room and the Bodhiya protective wall.
Later on, an alms-giving for 8 Buddhist monks who attended the opening ceremony took place at the same place, in which the monks invoked merits on fallen War Heroes and blessings on serving Army personnel.
Major General Jagath Dias and a large number of officers and other ranks attended the series of religious activities.
Meanwhile, 59, 64 and 68 Divisions under the SFHQ-MLT exhibited separate Vesak decorations and lanterns in their respective Vesak zones visited by thousands of visitors.
Those Vesak zones included free eateries (Dansel), display of Vesak lanterns and other colourful decorations. Major General Jagath Dias as the Chief Guest opened the free eateries and admired the decorations, crafted by Army personnel for display.
In the meantime, Army personnel of the 62 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) shared the Buddhist virtue of generosity opening a ghee rice ‘Vesak Dansela’ at Parakramapura Maha Vidyalaya premises on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (3).
The free eatery attracted more than 5000 of Vesak sight-seers and poor families who came there to receive free meals on account of Vesak commemoration.
It was organized as a gesture of goodwill under the guidance of the General Officer Commanding, 62 Division, along with all Commanders of Brigades and Battalions under command to the 62 Division.
Dr Krishantha Perera, Surgeon at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and members of the ‘Blissful Mind’ organization offered their generous hand to make the Dansela a great success.
Similarly, the Security Force Headquarters, Jaffna (SFHQ-J) made elaborate arrangements this year too to celebrate the ‘Thrice Blessed Day’ on its usual theme ‘Yapa Patunai Daham Amawai’. It was inaugurated with the special pandol erected near the Jaffna Public Library which depicted the life story of the Buddha thru ‘Sama Jathakaya’.
Major General Nandana Udawatta, Commander, SFHQ - J as the Chief Guest opened the pandol and the illuminations, erected by serving Army personnel. Just prior to the opening of the colossal pandol, decorated with more than 30,000 bulbs, all attended a Bodhi Pooja Pinkama at the temple in the SFHQ - J premises.
The pandol in the Vesak zone at Jaffna was erected by the Army personnel of the 5 Engineer Service Regiment serving the peninsula. Sri Lanka Air Force personnel, philanthropists, business community and private establishments cooperated with the SFHQ - J to make the event a success. More than 50 Vesak lanterns, displayed were crafted by the soldiers at the SFHQ - J.
Clergy of all denominations, District Secretary for Jaffna, Mr N Vedhanayahan, Major General Nandana Udawatta, Commander, SFHQ - J, Mr Lalith Jayasinghe, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for Northern Province and several other distinguished invitees were associated with the opening day of these Vesak arrangements.
Those Vesak zones included free eateries (Dansel), display of Vesak lanterns and other colourful decorations. Major General Jagath Dias as the Chief Guest opened the free eateries and admired the decorations, crafted by Army personnel for display.
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In the meantime, Army personnel of the 62 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) shared the Buddhist virtue of generosity opening a ghee rice ‘Vesak Dansela’ at Parakramapura Maha Vidyalaya premises on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (3).
The free eatery attracted more than 5000 of Vesak sight-seers and poor families who came there to receive free meals on account of Vesak commemoration.
It was organized as a gesture of goodwill under the guidance of the General Officer Commanding, 62 Division, along with all Commanders of Brigades and Battalions under command to the 62 Division.
Dr Krishantha Perera, Surgeon at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and members of the ‘Blissful Mind’ organization offered their generous hand to make the Dansela a great success.
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Similarly, the Security Force Headquarters, Jaffna (SFHQ-J) made elaborate arrangements this year too to celebrate the ‘Thrice Blessed Day’ on its usual theme ‘Yapa Patunai Daham Amawai’. It was inaugurated with the special pandol erected near the Jaffna Public Library which depicted the life story of the Buddha thru ‘Sama Jathakaya’.
Major General Nandana Udawatta, Commander, SFHQ - J as the Chief Guest opened the pandol and the illuminations, erected by serving Army personnel. Just prior to the opening of the colossal pandol, decorated with more than 30,000 bulbs, all attended a Bodhi Pooja Pinkama at the temple in the SFHQ - J premises.
The pandol in the Vesak zone at Jaffna was erected by the Army personnel of the 5 Engineer Service Regiment serving the peninsula. Sri Lanka Air Force personnel, philanthropists, business community and private establishments cooperated with the SFHQ - J to make the event a success. More than 50 Vesak lanterns, displayed were crafted by the soldiers at the SFHQ - J.
Clergy of all denominations, District Secretary for Jaffna, Mr N Vedhanayahan, Major General Nandana Udawatta, Commander, SFHQ - J, Mr Lalith Jayasinghe, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for Northern Province and several other distinguished invitees were associated with the opening day of these Vesak arrangements.
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