21st November 2021 09:40:58 Hours
The recently-raised 1 Corps of the Army for the first time after its inauguration joined a religious ceremony at the sacred Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and Mirisawetiya premises in Anuradhapura in order to symbolically bless its new flag and the 1 Corps during 17 - 18 October.
The 1 Corps flag was at first taken respectfully in procession to the upper chamber of the Stupa premises where members of the Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the flag and troops serving there. Religious observances including a Bodhi Pooja at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and a special Pooja at 'Natha Dewalaya' afterwards added more significance to the invocation ceremony.
Major General Harendra Ranasinghe, Commander, 1 Corps as the Chief Guest graced all those separate programmes that got underway, together with Senior Officers in the Corps. The 1 Corps of the Army, meant to meet with any contingencies was raised on 17 October 2021.
Again on 9 November 2021, troops of the 1 Corps, along with Major General Harendra Ranasinghe carried its flag for invocation of blessings at Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The event in Kandy was attended by Kilinochchi-based 1 Corps troops, 8 Gajaba Regiment troops, Major General Rohitha Aluvihare, General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division, Brigadier Prabath Kodithuwakku, Brigadier General Staff of the 1 Corps and a cross section of Officers and Other Ranks.
