The annual Katina ceremony at Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara was conducted on Sunday (25) on a grand scale under the aegis of Ven. Meegahajandure Siri Vimala Thero of the temple.
Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J), together with officers and other ranks provided all the support to the religious event.
The religious procession, coloured by the presence of a caparisoned elephant, made available to the occasion by Hunupitiya, Colombo Gangarama Vihara, wended along the streets with traditional dancers of both Jaffna and the South.
Thousands of Jaffna civilians and holiday-makers in Jaffna lined up along the streets to enjoy a glimpse of the spectacle.
Headquarters 51 Division of Kopay, assisted by the Jaffna Tamil Buddhist Association, Brigades and Units serving under the 51 Division, made all the arrangements to make the event a colourful one.
Members of the clergy, Mrs. Yogeswari Pathgunarasa, Mayoress, Jaffna Municipal Council, General Officer Commanding, 51 Division, Brigadier Chandana Gunawardane, Senior Military and Police officers, community leaders and a large crowd of civilians supported both the procession and the ceremony, following day.
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