16th June 2023 21:08:16 Hours
The eastern gates at the entry into the Kumana National Park were opened on Monday (12 June) to facilitate the annual foot pilgrimage (Paada Yathra) of the combined group of Kataragama-bound devotees from the North and East who have been trekking for weeks as a religious ritual and reached the alluring Okanda Devalaya (Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil) in Okanda, Ampara.
Devotees performing the pilgrimage to Kataragama through dense jungles across areas like Pânama and Kumana were welcomed on arrival at Okanda by the Governor for Eastern Province, District Secretary of Ampara, Divisional Secretary Lahugala, Commander, 24 Infantry Division Major General W. Chandrasiri RSP USP psc, Commander, 242 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier S.A.U.A Solangaarachchi RSP psc and the Commanding Officer, 23 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment before they were entertained to meals and refreshments, prepared by the Army.
The main entry gates into the Kumana and Yala sactuaries were opened on the same occasion, enabling them to cross through dense jungles to reach Kataragama in order to participate in the annual Kataragama Esala Festival, scheduled to be held in early July.
