30th April 2018 14:25:27 Hours
Sri Lanka Army troops, who have assisted in numerous ways to hold the National Vesak Day (29 April) on a grand scale exhibited their elegant Vesak decorations at the Army Headquarters, Island-wide Security Forces Headquarters, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Valukaramaya, Kollupitiya and Gangaramaya Vesak Zone and elsewhere in the Island beginning last evening (29).
Army Headquarters and the Army Buddhist Association under the close supervision of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, contributed to the phenomenon by staging elaborate arrangements across the country with special focus on Vesak decoration zones, concerts of devotional songs (Bakthi Gee), free eateries (Dansel), special religious programmes, etc.
Symbolizing the initial commencement of this year’s National Vesak celebrations (April 26 – May 2) in the country, Hon Minister of Buddha Sasana on Friday (27) ceremonially opened the Army-built new preaching hall (Dharmashalawa) at Devagiri Raja Maha Viharaya in Bingiriya prior to the formal inauguration of this year’s National Vesak Festival on Saturday (28) by HE the President.
Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) with the support of troops serving all Divisions, Brigades and Units in the peninsula decorated the entire Jaffna Nagavihara premises with colourful Vesak lanterns and bulbs and erected a special Pandol, set up a special Vesak zone ‘Yapa Patunai Daham Amawai’ in the Jaffna town and conducted a Dansela for sightseers. A combined team of Army singers and students from Navatkuli School meanwhile, staged a ‘Bethi Gee’ concert, showcasing the spirits of reconciliation, harmony and co-existence. All those Vesak arrangements were streamlined under the close supervision of Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi, Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna.
In the meantime, Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) contributing their share to the commemoration, organized a series of features in line with the national event in close coordination with the District Secretariat for Vavuniya. Conduct of ‘Sil’ campaign, devotional song concerts, Dansel and display of Vesak lanterns in and around the SFHQ-W premises and display of Buddhist flags took the centrestage in the arrangements, launched on the instructions of Major General Kumudu Perera, Commander, Security Forces - Wanni. A team of Army singers meanwhile, performed a ‘Bethi Gee’ concert in both Tamil and Sinhala languages, showcasing understanding, reconciliation and harmony.
In the Eastern theatre, Vesak zones, display of Vesak lanterns and decorations, staging of Buddhist dramas, devotional song concerts and conduct of Dansel (free eateries) featured among Vesak arrangements, organized by the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) in Sevanapitiya and covering Polonnaruwa town, Welikanda, Trincomalee and Batticaloa areas on the directions of the Commander, Security Forces – East, Major General Santhusitha Pananwala.
Similarly, Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) staged a Vesak zone in Kilinochchi. Bodhi Poojas, religious observance, devotional songs, display of Vesak lanterns were among the host of other meritorious Vesak activities conducted by the SFHQ-KLN. Meanwhile, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi instructed under command troops to facilitate the conduct of the Vesak Projects.
Similarly, Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) joined the event by producing multi-coloured Vesak lanterns and holding a Dansela for civilians in Mullaittivu area. Distribution of refreshments was among other major attractions held around Mullaittivu area, following instructions given by Major General Dushyantha Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu.
In the meantime, SFHQ-West troops on the directions of Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, Commander, Security Forces - West brought the construction project at Devagiri Raja Maha Viharaya in Bingiriya to successful completion with the blessings of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake. (See separate story)
On Vesak Full Moon Day (April 29), troops of the Army Headquarters and the SFHQ-West at Panagoda Army Cantonment, together with the members of the Army Buddhist Association, held a full-day ‘Sil’ observance programme at Panagoda Sri Maha Bodhirajarama temple before the Vesak zone inside the Panagoda Army Cantonment was inaugurated at dusk.
SFHQ-West troops at the same time contributing to the Bauddaloka Mawatha Vesak Zone, Valukaramaya, Kollupitiya and National ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Gangaramaya Vesak Zone arrangements showcased their creative and artistic talents during a separate devotional song recital and accompanying dancing features that remind Buddhists of old life stories of the Enlightened One in the heart of the city. All those decorations, put in place on the directions of Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, Commander, Security Forces - West glittered as dusk fell on Sunday (29) evening.
At Diyatalawa, Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-Cen) put up a series of arrangements to mark the event. In addition to Vesak lanterns that are on display at Muttukumaru ground, SFHQ-C troops on the directions of Major General Rukmal Dias, Commander, Security Forces - Central held a Dansela in the heart of Diyatalawa town and Vesak ‘Bethi Gee’ competition. In addition, a separate Vesak Zone was organized by the 12 Division under the SFHQ-Cen in Hambantota.
More and more Vesak Features, setup by Sri Lanka Army troops across the country will continue to add colour from this evening (30) onwards.
Meanwhile, Gajaba Regiment (GR) Headquarters in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura staged a Vesak zone by displaying lanterns in front of the Headquarters.
Troops of the Gemunu Watch (GW) Regimental Headquarters also contributed their share to the Vesak festival in Kuruwita, Ratnapura.
The Centre for Army Vocational Training (CAVT) at Kalaoya, Saliyawewa also organized a Vesak Zone to mark the Vesak Poya day.
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