To taste the flavour of the traditional ‘Pongal’(milk rice prepared with jaggery), cooked and served by troops serving the gateway area to the Jaffna peninsula at Elephant Pass (EPS), more than 10,000 by-passers on the auspicious Thai Pongal Day (15th Sunday) paused for a couple of minutes, in front of a makeshift model Hindu village near Elephant Pass.
The gigantic Pongal meal, prepared by 55 Division troops serving area turned out to be a huge attraction as its distribution, together with gift parcels to those who were entering and leaving Jaffna, commenced as early dawn fell on the day.
A mini entertaining cultural dancing show, organized by the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna at the same location, attracted the attention of all those who were moving across the point. Students from Champianpattu Government Tamil Mixed School and Pulopallai Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School displayed their artistic skills at the venue. A large stock of dry ration packets and readymade garments were gifted to Hindu families who were selected from the area. Those student dancers also received those gift parcels from the organizers.
Brigadier Ruwan Kulathunge, General Officer Commanding, 55 Division also joined the special arrangement as the Chief Guest as the project was on.
Religious leaders of Hindu, Catholic and Islam faith attended the Thai Pongal arrangements. Brigade Commanders, Unit Commanders and soldiers of all ranks of the 55 Division contributed to make this special event a success.
Meanwhile, 52 Division troops in Varani organized a separate Thai Pongal ceremony at Chavakachcheri cultural Hall, the same day morning (15).
Nearly 1000 civilians in the area attended the special Pooja followed by a cultural show, presented by the cultural troupe of the Army assisted by Sri Lanka Army band, Chavakachcheri Kala Sangam and students at Varani School. Meals were provided to all those present on the occasion
General Officer Commanding 52 Division Brigadier Anura Sudhasinghe and other invited guests gave away gifts to those who displayed artistic skills during the ceremony.
On a proposal made by Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, this Headquarters last year too served “Pongal” and tea to over 9000 people on the "Thai Pongal” Day with a view to fostering national unity through cultural harmony.
The gigantic Pongal meal, prepared by 55 Division troops serving area turned out to be a huge attraction as its distribution, together with gift parcels to those who were entering and leaving Jaffna, commenced as early dawn fell on the day.
A mini entertaining cultural dancing show, organized by the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna at the same location, attracted the attention of all those who were moving across the point. Students from Champianpattu Government Tamil Mixed School and Pulopallai Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School displayed their artistic skills at the venue. A large stock of dry ration packets and readymade garments were gifted to Hindu families who were selected from the area. Those student dancers also received those gift parcels from the organizers.
Brigadier Ruwan Kulathunge, General Officer Commanding, 55 Division also joined the special arrangement as the Chief Guest as the project was on.
Religious leaders of Hindu, Catholic and Islam faith attended the Thai Pongal arrangements. Brigade Commanders, Unit Commanders and soldiers of all ranks of the 55 Division contributed to make this special event a success.
Meanwhile, 52 Division troops in Varani organized a separate Thai Pongal ceremony at Chavakachcheri cultural Hall, the same day morning (15).
Nearly 1000 civilians in the area attended the special Pooja followed by a cultural show, presented by the cultural troupe of the Army assisted by Sri Lanka Army band, Chavakachcheri Kala Sangam and students at Varani School. Meals were provided to all those present on the occasion
General Officer Commanding 52 Division Brigadier Anura Sudhasinghe and other invited guests gave away gifts to those who displayed artistic skills during the ceremony.
On a proposal made by Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, this Headquarters last year too served “Pongal” and tea to over 9000 people on the "Thai Pongal” Day with a view to fostering national unity through cultural harmony.
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