Skilled manual labour provided by Thandikulam-based 611 Brigade troops serving under Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni, added special significance and value to religious sentiments as they, with the support of outside donors, completely renovated two ancient Hindu Kovils (Temples) and opened them for veneration on Wednesday (17).
This unique gesture of goodwill and reconciliation was made possible due to financial support, granted by Dr Hasmuk Dawda, Mrs Dawda and his family of Nairobi, Kenya, Businessman, Mr Anura Perera and Constructor, Mr Sidath, both of them from Kandy under the auspices of Ven Yatirawana Wimala Thera, Chief Organizer, Kandy Thisarana Sarana Buddhist Association and Chief Sanghanayaka for Africa.
Those two Hindu Temples, Madukulam Muththumari Amman Kovil and Sinnathampanai Muththumari Amman Kovil remained dilapidated and abandoned for years as LTTE terrorism dominated the area, but newly resettled people in those areas requested the Army for renovation and restoration of those two Kovils since no other places are at hand for their spiritual needs.
Ven Yatirawana Wimala Thero taking the initiative in this regard coordinated with the 61 Division and the 611 Brigade accordingly and mustered the support of above donors for supply of paints, brushes, metal and suchlike, needed for the task.
Brigadier K.G.D Perera, 611 Brigade Commander and Brigadier A. Kariyakarawana, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division readily supplied the manpower since almost all Army personnel supportive of the move were very much eager to undertake a project of religious significance. Major General A.K.S. Perera, Commander, Security Forces, Wanni has given his blessings for the project.
On Wednesday, the venerable monk, accompanied by those donors to the project was there to re-open those two renovated sacred places in the presence of a large gathering of Hindu devotees and Army officers, headed by Brigadier A. Kariyakarawana and Brigadier K.G.D. Perera. A Hindu priest performed inaugural religious rites and rituals in both temples and invoked blessings on the civilians.
Buddhist monks, donors Dr Hasmuk Dawda and Mrs Dawda of Nairobi, Kenya, Businessman, Mr Anura Perera, Constructor, Mr Sidath, 61 Division General Officer Commanding, 611 Brigade Commander, Senior Tamil citizens and devotees were welcomed on arrival at the turn to both temple premises and conducted in a procession, led by traditional Kavadi dancers before re-opening of the restored temples.
Towards the end of the ceremony, donors gave away symbolic gifts to a large group of resettled civilians in the area.
This unique gesture of goodwill and reconciliation was made possible due to financial support, granted by Dr Hasmuk Dawda, Mrs Dawda and his family of Nairobi, Kenya, Businessman, Mr Anura Perera and Constructor, Mr Sidath, both of them from Kandy under the auspices of Ven Yatirawana Wimala Thera, Chief Organizer, Kandy Thisarana Sarana Buddhist Association and Chief Sanghanayaka for Africa.
Those two Hindu Temples, Madukulam Muththumari Amman Kovil and Sinnathampanai Muththumari Amman Kovil remained dilapidated and abandoned for years as LTTE terrorism dominated the area, but newly resettled people in those areas requested the Army for renovation and restoration of those two Kovils since no other places are at hand for their spiritual needs.
Ven Yatirawana Wimala Thero taking the initiative in this regard coordinated with the 61 Division and the 611 Brigade accordingly and mustered the support of above donors for supply of paints, brushes, metal and suchlike, needed for the task.
Brigadier K.G.D Perera, 611 Brigade Commander and Brigadier A. Kariyakarawana, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division readily supplied the manpower since almost all Army personnel supportive of the move were very much eager to undertake a project of religious significance. Major General A.K.S. Perera, Commander, Security Forces, Wanni has given his blessings for the project.
On Wednesday, the venerable monk, accompanied by those donors to the project was there to re-open those two renovated sacred places in the presence of a large gathering of Hindu devotees and Army officers, headed by Brigadier A. Kariyakarawana and Brigadier K.G.D. Perera. A Hindu priest performed inaugural religious rites and rituals in both temples and invoked blessings on the civilians.
Buddhist monks, donors Dr Hasmuk Dawda and Mrs Dawda of Nairobi, Kenya, Businessman, Mr Anura Perera, Constructor, Mr Sidath, 61 Division General Officer Commanding, 611 Brigade Commander, Senior Tamil citizens and devotees were welcomed on arrival at the turn to both temple premises and conducted in a procession, led by traditional Kavadi dancers before re-opening of the restored temples.
Towards the end of the ceremony, donors gave away symbolic gifts to a large group of resettled civilians in the area.
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