Troops invoke merits on tsunami victims

Members of the Armed Forces and the Police were among hundreds of Sri Lankans from all corners of the country who joined together during the weekend (March 25-27) to commemorate the three-month remembrance of the tsunami tragedy and invoke merits on departed souls after the killing waves claimed lives of nearly half a million of Sri Lankans on December 26,2004.\r\n\r\nMeritorious Buddhist religious activities by way of Pirith chanting, Offers of Alms and Gift parcels, Bodhi pujas as well as special masses, prayer sessions, pujas and other offerings of Christian, Islamic and Hindu denominations were the order of the day since both Medin Full Moon Poya Day and Good Friday which fell coincidentally during the same time added another significant dimension to the commemoration.\r\n\r\nThose ceremonies also saw invoking of blessings on thousands of displaced families who are still confined to temporary shelters. Commander Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna Major General S.D. Tennakoon with the assistance of 51, 52, 53, 55 Divisions initiated a week-long chanting of ‘Ratana Sutra’ at Nagavihara in Jaffna by members of the Maha Sangha, specially brought down there from Kandy. The chanting started off on 18 March 2005 was also designed to invoke blessings upon the Security Forces, Police, all displaced tsunami victims and the country.\r\n\r\nReminiscent of what the Buddha had preached, those monks toured township areas in Jaffna conducting a ‘Daham Charika’ to offer Prith (blessed) water and symbolic blessed threads to civilians in Jaffna, enabling them to receive blessings. The tour, coordinated by Rev. Kolitha Thero at Nagavihara in Jaffna saw Commander, Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna Major General S.D. Tennakoon joining the programme with Northern Naval Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police Jaffna, Commander 51 Division, Commanders of all Brigades in Jaffna and several Senior military officers.\r\n\r\nA team of twelve monks, headed by Chief incumbent of the Sri Sarananda Pirivena of Ramangna Maha Nikaya Dr. Gothama Thero of Pathragala conducted chanting tour in Jaffna suburbs to be followed by an alms giving ceremony led by thirteen monks.\r\n\r\nIn the eastern port city of Trincomalee, naval troops assisted by the Army, Air Force and the Police launched a series of religious and social-service activities to mark the three-month commemoration. The Lions Club in the area also assisted the programme. Pirith chanting at Tissamaha Viharaya in the eastern naval base, Christian mass at Galpalliya in Trincomalee town, Muslim prayer sessions at Jumma Mosque and Hindu Pooja at Kooneshwaran Kovil were among major highlights of the ceremonies that were attended by hundreds of soldiers, policemen and a cross section of the civilians. A massive alms-giving ceremony meant for 100 Buddhist monks on Saturday (26) added colour to the commemorative event that went on for two days. Donation of spectacles and hearing aids to the needy constituted a part of the agenda of the commemorative activities. The day also saw laying foundation stone for construction of 300 houses by members of the Lions Club.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, special bodhi Poojas and recital of Pirith were conducted at a number of Army installations including Panagoda Army Cantonment, Matara and Galle Army camps.\r\n