The Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season across the country made its entry to the Colombo Malay Cricket Club grounds Friday (10) morning as both officers and soldiers of the Army Headquarters joined hands together to celebrate the auspicious event, giving prominence to the traditional New Year games and other associated events.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva as the Chief Guest, took time off to inaugurate the day’s celebration, ‘Bakmaha Ulela 2015’, together with Mrs Nayana De Silva, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU). Both of them were welcomed by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General and conducted to the main venue in a procession, preceded by Ves dancers.
Hoisting of the National and the Army flags by the Commander of the Army and Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff respectively and the recitation of the National Anthem and the Army song in turn, marked the formal commencement of the day’s event, followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest and a few other senior officers.
Two-minute silence as is the practice in all Army events, honoured the memory of fallen War Heroes afterwards and the proceedings kicked off with games, like the grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, eye-placing on the elephant, etc.
Raban playing, Cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (new year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (new year prince), eye-placing on the elephant, bun-eating, slow cycling, marathon runs and several other games and other age-old practices were among the highlights that dominated the day’s chain of events to the much amusement of all the onlookers.
Construction of a model, ‘Gemi Gedara’ (typical village house), erection of swings and the tea table with traditional sweetmeats remained a spectacle in the ground with typically clad villagers, including damsels. Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Mrs Nayana De Silva, accompanied by several senior officers afterwards had a look at those models with enormous interest and enthusiasm.
Deputy Chief of Staff, senior officers at the Army Headquarters, several ASVU executive members, other ranks, invitees and members of the civil staff enjoyed the arrangements in collective mood and festive spirits.
At the end of the New Year festival, Commander of the Army and several senior officers gave away gifts to the winners in different events and competitions.
This year’s Army’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was held on a low key as a token of respect to the memory of late Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Maha Nayaka Thero of Asgiriya Chapter on the directions of the Commander of the Army.
Private G.A.D.M. Dasanayake was crowned as the ‘Avurudu Kumari - 2015’ and offered cash prizes by Mrs. Nayana De Silva. Moreover, 2nd and 3rd places also received their cash prizes respectively.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva as the Chief Guest, took time off to inaugurate the day’s celebration, ‘Bakmaha Ulela 2015’, together with Mrs Nayana De Silva, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU). Both of them were welcomed by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General and conducted to the main venue in a procession, preceded by Ves dancers.
Hoisting of the National and the Army flags by the Commander of the Army and Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff respectively and the recitation of the National Anthem and the Army song in turn, marked the formal commencement of the day’s event, followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest and a few other senior officers.
Two-minute silence as is the practice in all Army events, honoured the memory of fallen War Heroes afterwards and the proceedings kicked off with games, like the grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, eye-placing on the elephant, etc.
Raban playing, Cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (new year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (new year prince), eye-placing on the elephant, bun-eating, slow cycling, marathon runs and several other games and other age-old practices were among the highlights that dominated the day’s chain of events to the much amusement of all the onlookers.
Construction of a model, ‘Gemi Gedara’ (typical village house), erection of swings and the tea table with traditional sweetmeats remained a spectacle in the ground with typically clad villagers, including damsels. Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Mrs Nayana De Silva, accompanied by several senior officers afterwards had a look at those models with enormous interest and enthusiasm.
Deputy Chief of Staff, senior officers at the Army Headquarters, several ASVU executive members, other ranks, invitees and members of the civil staff enjoyed the arrangements in collective mood and festive spirits.
At the end of the New Year festival, Commander of the Army and several senior officers gave away gifts to the winners in different events and competitions.
This year’s Army’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was held on a low key as a token of respect to the memory of late Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Maha Nayaka Thero of Asgiriya Chapter on the directions of the Commander of the Army.
Private G.A.D.M. Dasanayake was crowned as the ‘Avurudu Kumari - 2015’ and offered cash prizes by Mrs. Nayana De Silva. Moreover, 2nd and 3rd places also received their cash prizes respectively.
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