11th August 2021 21:50:08 Hours
The Army in spite of its ongoing challenging national tasks towards control of the COVID-19 epidemic and showing the organization's highest regard and deep veneration for conduct of the annual Sri Dalada Perahera (pageant) festival in Kandy, offered ten tons of dried coconut (Coppara) for illumination of the historic pageant to the Sri Dalada Maligawa for the 8th consecutive year on Monday (9) morning.
Despite heavy workload, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army honouring his organization's sacred commitment and high regard to annual religious obligations arrived at Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth) to symbolically hand over the stock to the Diyawadana Nilame (lay chieftain) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Mr Nilanga Dela Bandara and other chieftains in charge of adjoining four Devala (shrines of deities) in the compound.
Unlike in previous years, Dalada Maliga authorities staged a warm reception ceremony this year at the International Buddhist Centre inside the Maligawa premises where the stocks were received giving appreciative remarks on the project which is indispensable and expensive.
The simple handover of the stock by the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army was joined by Major General Sisira Pilapitiya, Colonel of the Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) and Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu, Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division and few senior officers of the 11 Division.
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops, headquartered in Boyagane, Kurunegala have been instrumental in supplying these Coppara stocks since the year 2014 as an offering to the sacred temple as the camp possesses lush coconut groves.
This year's arrangement for Coppara donation was organized on the guidelines given by Major General Sisira Pilapitiya, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR and Commander Security Forces - MLT. The production process of those coconuts for illumination and fragrance throughout the annual pageant generally begins three months, ahead of the Dalada Perahera festival at Boyagane VIR Regimental Headquarters, adhering to all ancient practices, religious rites and rituals in line with age-old traditions.
At first, the Commander on arrival at the Dalada Maligawa made offerings to the sacred Tooth Relic on the upper chamber after he was received by the Diyawadana Nilame and the Manager of the temple premises. After a while, invocation of blessings on the country, all groups and tri services fighting against the virus took place, amidst beating of traditional drums before the stock of dried coconuts was formally delivered.
The Diyawadana Nilame, Mr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara after a few comments to the occasion presented a memento to the Army Chief and the gesture was reciprocated by the visiting Army Chief.
Towards the end of the programme, General Shavendra Silva was invited by media personnel on the status quo of the COVID-19 and the Army's unfailing commitments to the Nation.
