04th October 2023 10:25:51 Hours
A special Mass at Borella All Saints' Church, graced by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Bishop of Colombo and several other prominent clergies invoked blessings on the forthcoming 74th Army Anniversary (10 October) on Tuesday (3 October) afternoon as a segment of the series of multi-religious observances.
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army, together with Mrs Janaki Liyanage, President of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit and a representative group of Senior Officers and Other Ranks graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of the Army Christian Fellowship.
Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe RSP VSV USP ndu, Chief of Staff and Major General W.B.S.M Abeysekara RSP VSV USP, Chairman, Army Christian Fellowship welcomed the day’s Chief Guest on arrival at the location before the mass began.
The special Mass and Thanksgiving Service, administered by the His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Bishop of Colombo at the outset of the ceremony symbolically blessed the Army Flag, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters Flag and all Regimental Flags. The clergy also in a special gesture blessed the Commander of the Army at the same occasion in recognition of his commitment to the country.
Around the same time, Ven. Chrishantha Mendis, former Arcadian of Colombo, Church of Ceylon prayed for the souls of fallen War Heroes and those who had gone missing in action in the battlefields and elsewhere, and simultaneously invoked blessings on all Army War Heroes under rehabilitation and recuperation after they sustained permanent injuries. The clergy extolled the Army’s commendable roles in their brief prayer orations and wanted it to continue its unmatched services.
Towards the end of the service, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage made a financial contribution to the clergy as a token of the Army’s appreciation of their religious services being rendered by the Church for promotion of spiritual values, reconciliation and peace among the public.
Rev. Heshan De Silva, former President of Council, Sri Lanka Baptist Mission, Rev Jude Shaman Fernando, Rev. Surangika Fernando, Minister in Charge, Methodist Church, Nugegoda, Ven. Chrishantha Mendis, former Arcadian of Colombo, Church of Ceylon, Senior Officers and a gathering of Army personnel, representing all Regiments attended the service.
