Engineer Brigade Hqrs in Boo Oya Marks New Year on Grand Scale

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival spirits across the country made its entry to the Vavuniya Boo Oya camp premises on Friday (20) morning as both Officers and Other Ranks of the Sri Lanka Engineer (SLE) Brigade Headquarters, 1 Field SLE, 7 Field SLE, 8 Field SLE, 9 Field SLE, 10 Field SLE and 11 Field SLE joined hands together to celebrate the auspicious event, giving prominence to the traditional New Year games and other associated events.

Colonel Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers and Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SFHQ-J), Major General Darshana Hettiarrachchi as the Chief Guest, took time off to inaugurate the day’s celebration, ‘Bakmaha Ulela 2018’ at Boo Oya.

The Chief Guest welcomed by Brigadier Amith Seneviratne, Brigade Commander, Engineer Brigade was conducted to the main venue in a procession, preceded by Ves dancers. General Officer Commanding of the 65 Division, Major General Kumara Peiris and Centre Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, Brigadier S.T.B Dissanayake also joined the day’s celebration.

Hosting of the National flag by the Colonel Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers and the recitation of the National anthem, marked the formal commencement of the day’s event.

The proceedings kicked off with games, like the raban playing, cadjan weaving, grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, eye-placing on the elephant, selection of the under 12 years old ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (New Year Princess), bun-eating, marathon runs, tug of war (male & female) and several other games. Other age-old practices were also 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 as officers, other ranks and their family members flocked to enjoy the day.

Chief Guest, senior officers in Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, officers, other ranks, members of Army families and members of the civil staff enjoyed the arrangements in collective mood and festive spirits. During the New Year festival, several senior officers, their spouses and Regimental Sergeant Majors gave away gifts to the winners in different events. At the end of the New Year festival, Colonel Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers gave away gifts to the first ten winners in marathon runs.

The ceremony came to an end with a musical evening at Boo Oya camp premises.