05th October 2023 19:46:36 Hours
Troops of the 23 Infantry Division who took to paddy cultivation in the ‘Yala’ season covering more than 20 acres of paddy fields in the general area of Poonani, Welikanda during a traditional ‘Aluth Sahal Mangalya’ (harvesting ceremony) reaped their maiden harvest on 29 September amid a gathering of Army troops.
Those marshy lands belonging to the state were tilled and prepared by the troops before paddy sowing was done some months ago following the guidance and the initiative taken by the General Officer Commanding, 23 Infantry Division, Major General K.V.N.P Premaratne RSP USP psc.
Troops took care of the fields for months and succeeded in getting the required harvest at the end of the season. The first share of the harvest was offered to the Buddha and the God Ganesh in accordance with age-old traditions before the entire harvest was collected.
General Officer Commanding 23 Infantry Division, Staff Officers and troops of Headquarters, 23 Infantry Division enthusiastically participated in the event, watched by many farming communities in the area.
