JAFFNA peninsula as well as Kilinochchi town adorned festive garbs in the Vesak weekend (May 8-10) as troops with the support of civilians organized a series of commemorative and meritorious activities in connection with the Thrice Blessed Day.
The Day was marked in Kilinochchi and several different places in the Jaffna peninsula under the patronage of Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni SFHQ-W) and Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J).
All ranks in the Palaly High Security Zone on the Vesak Full Moon day morning attended a special Bodhi Pooja and listened to a sermon, conducted by Ven. Panawala Jinasiri Thero from Barigoda Sri Mahindarama temple in Kuliyapitiya at the SFHQ “Bo” tree compound.
Forward Maintenance Area (FMA) North Headquarters meanwhile, organized Vesak Bhkathi Gee (devotional songs) at Kankesanthurai with the participation of soldiers representing all Army Units serving in the High Security Zone on the Vesak day night. Coinciding with this, a Vesak lantern competition sponsored by People’s Bank in Jaffna was also held in Kankesanthurai.
In the meantime, all Brigades and Units under the 51 Division organized Dansal (offering of free meals) and separate Vesak lantern competitions in their bases. A special Bodhi Pooja organized by the 51 Division was conducted by Ven. Meegahajandure Gnanarathana Thero at Sri Naga Vihara, the same evening.
An estimated crowd of about 20,000 Jaffna civilians received meals at special eating houses (Dansala) and refreshments during three Vesak days ( 8th, 9th &10th)
Troops in the 55 Division also marked the holy day holding a Bodhi Pooja and lighting Vesak lanterns along the beach in Chundikulam and Chalai lagoons.
At the same time, Kilinochchi Lumbini temple, remained abandoned due to LTTE terrorism in the north was opened for offerings and religious rites on the 8th after initial renovations were completed by the Sri Lanka Army.
The Lumbini Buddhist temple, a symbol of co-existence and harmony between Hindus and Buddhists remained dilapidated and unattended for over 30 years.
Commander Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni SFHQ-W) Major General Jagath Jayasuriya placed a new statue of the Lord Buddha in the shrine at auspicious time after it was conducted in a Buddhist-flag waving procession. Members of the Maha Sangha including the Chief Incumbent at Atamasthanaya in Anuradhapura took part in the commemoration in Kilinochchiya.
Hindu priest (Kurukkal) at Kilinochchi Kudiyiruppu Kovil conducted Hindu religious rites in the adjoining Katharagama (God Skanda) and God Gana Devalaya premises inside the Lumbini temple.
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