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Sri Lanka Army

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Wanni, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu &;amp; Jaffna Security Forces Commemorate Vesak with Elaborate Arrangements


Members of the Sri Lanka Army serving across the Northern Province joined hands together and contributed to the commemoration of the annual Thrice Blessed Day (Vesak) in a big way, starting from the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (May 14).

A separately reserved Vesak Zone, organized by the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) in Vavuniya on account of Vesak, included a mega exhibition of Vesak lanterns and a colourful recital of devotional songs (Bakthi Gee) presentation.

Those Wanni Vesak lanterns that depict different life stages of the Buddha and related stories until Enlightenment of the Buddha, were produced by soldiers serving all Divisions and Brigades of the SFHQ-W, using local raw materials from respective areas.

Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, SFHQ-W inaugurated the Vesak zone and the Bakthi Gee presentation during a brief ceremony. Major General Perera towards end of the Bakthi Gee recital, gave away gifts to the school children who took part in the presentation.

Major General P.U.S Withanage, General Officer Commanding, 21 Division and a large gathering of senior officers from all units attended these occasions, together with other ranks.



Meanwhile, a Vesak lantern exhibition and a free-eating house (Dansela) were organized near the 61 Division Headquarters in Vavuniya. On the directions of Brigadier D.M.W.W.W.M.R.B.M Daulagala, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division, troops serving the 61 Division, took part in the free distribution of foods to the spectators.

Many Velankulam villagers around 61 Division Headquarters premises flocked to see those Vesak lanterns and enjoyed fried rice treat, offered by the troops in the Dansela. Both arrangements attracted a massive crowd of villagers.



In the meantime, 54 Division Headquarters in Mannar, together with soldiers serving all units in the area, conducted a presentation of Vesak devotional songs, named ‘Mathota Vesak Gee Sisila’ with the participation of all religious leaders in the area.

The two-day recital of devotional songs, held for the first time at Mannar Town Hall auditorium during May 14 - 15, was attended by 54 Division General Officer Commanding, officers, other ranks and a gathering of civilians.



Similarly, the giant Pandol (Thorana), put up at Kilinochchi Madya Maha Vidyala playground, depicting the life story of Ashoka, became a crowd-puller during the first two days of Vesak (May 14 - 15).

Organized by the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN), the illuminated Pandol with 25,000 multi-coloured bulbs, cost Rs 9 lakhs for the Army and its erection was done purely through labour support, given by Kilinochchi soldiers and expertise offered by 11 Sri Lanka Engineers troops. All soldiers serving SFHQ-KLN provided financial support for the erection in addition to donations received from donors.

Using Tamil language, the contents of the Buddhist story, displayed in the Pandol, were explained to visiting Vesak sight-seers for the first time, along with free distribution of a Vesak greeting card among the public.

With the opening of the Pandol, simultaneous free eating houses, serving fried rice and ice cream commenced in the area. Best Vesak lanterns, among more than 37 that were created by different units, including airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force serving the area, fetched cash prizes and consolation prizes.

Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, SFHQ-KLN gave away cash prizes to producers of the most creative and best Vesak lanterns on the second day of the exhibition. Rs 20,000/= (first prize), Rs 15,000/= (second prize) and Rs 10,000/= (third prize) were carried away by 11 (V) Gajaba Regiment, 5 Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police and Sri Lanka Air Force respectively.

Together with Major General Ranasinghe, Deputy Inspector General of the Police for Kilinochchi, Deputy Principal at Kilinochchi Madya Maha Vidyalaya, religious leaders and several other invitees, took part in the inauguration of the Vesak Zone. On the first day of the inauguration of the Vesak Zone, a record 7000 spectators including a gathering of school students, visited the Kilinochchi Vesak Zone.



Meanwhile, a Vesak Zone in Mullaittivu, organized by the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT), drew a large crowd of Mullaittivu sight-seers on the first day of Vesak (May 14).

Mullaittivu, Puthukkudiyiruppu and its suburbs were lit up with Vesak lanterns and other decorations on account of the commemoration. A free eating hall put up by the troops went on providing fried rice to the civilians who lined up to enjoy Vesak decorations.

SFHQ-MLT with 68 Division troops erected those lanterns and other decorations on the directions of Major General Jagath Dias, Commander, SFHQ-MLT.



Vesak celebrations in the meantime in the Jaffna peninsula, on the thematic preparation, ‘Yapa Patunai Daham Amawai - 2014’, were held on a grand scale on the directions of Major General Udaya Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J).

The Jaffna Vesak festival, including a huge Pandol, lit with 60,000 bulbs which was the centre of attraction as it was erected for the first time, is to go on for a week until 20 May, in view of large crowds thronging to view the decorations. The Pandol using modern technology was put up by 5 Engineer Service Regiment troops with the labour support of SFHQ-J troops.

To coincide with Vesak arrangements, a free eating house distributed vegetarian dinner among thousands of spectators who were visiting the SFHQ-J Vesak zone. Similarly, Manippay Nandarama Tamil Buddhist Dharma School students, staged a devotional song (Bakthi Gee) presentation in both Tamil and Sinhala languages. They were also supported by many other students from several Jaffna schools and soldiers.

Hon Douglas Devananda (MP), Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development and Major General Udaya Perera as Chief Guests took part separately in opening ceremonies of the Vesak zone during the first two days (May 14-15).

As one more feature in the SFHQ-J Vesak zone, Major General Udaya Perera gave away 205 scholarships for Jaffna students after financial deposits, were made in separate bank saving books on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (14).

A cow and its calf saved from butchering were also handed over to Mr Nadaraja Sivaraj of Nallur for raring as one more charity programme of the SFHQ-J in the Vesak agenda. Such donations of rescued cattle will continue for 7 days in the Vesak week while the Vesak zone is on in Jaffna.