New Library Opened to Mark 50th Anniversary of Madihe Pannaseeha Vidyalaya

The newly-constructed ‘Agga Maha Panditha Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thero’s Memorial Library at Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Vidyalaya in Puttur, Jaffna was opened to the students on Friday (17) to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the school.

Troops of the 52 Division, commanded by Major General Aruna Wanniarachchi, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 52 Division of the Security Force Headquarters-Jaffna (SFHQ-J) provided all possible technical assistance to the contractors for erection of this memorial library within a short span of time on the directions of the Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna, Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi after the sponsor, Dharmavijaya Padanama of Colombo sought the Army support for completion of the project.

1 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) took the leadership in organizing the opening event with the coordination of its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dammika Jayarathne and the close supervision of the 521 Brigade Commander, Colonel Sujeewa Hettiarachchi.

Lighting of the traditional oil lamp and cutting of the symbolic ribbon marked the formal inauguration of the new library building amid blessings of Seth Pirith.

Most Venerable Rajakiya Panditha Trincomalee Ananda Thero, Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshita Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent at Bambalapitiya Sri Vajiraramaya temple, together with the Governor for the Northern Province, Hon Reginold Cooray who graced as the Chief Guest for the occasion.

The Mahanayake Thero during his oration to the occasion praised the generosity of the donors and spoke high of the tireless contribution made by the SFHQ-J troops for facilitation of the project and celebration of the 50th anniversary of the school.

During the same ceremony, each student was awarded a gift parcel, including school books, stationeries and reading books. 45 students received those incentives, thanks to the sponsorship of the Sri Vajirarama Daham School at Maharagama. Meanwhile, 7 teachers of the school were also gifted with accessories as a gesture of goodwill.

Unveiling of a portrait of late Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thero, distribution of scholarships and a few other ceremonials coloured the library opening event.