17th January 2024 18:50:24 Hours
55 Infantry Division conducted a ‘Thai Pongal Day’ celebration at Poonaryn City on 12 January 2024 together with a huge gathering of Tamil civilians.
The event was held under the instructions of Major General R.K.N.C Jayawardena RSP ndc, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 55 Infantry Division with the supervision of Commander, 552 Infantry Brigade.
GOC of 55 Infantry Division and Divisional Secretary, Poonaryn Mr. T Akilan graced the occasion as Chief Guests. The event was coloured by a series of entertaining features with a vast array of performing artists representing the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lankan Traditional Dancers and Dancing Groups in the area.
At the same occasion, the troops of 22 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and 2 Sri Lanka National Guard donated school bags and books for 108 students and offered tribute to five best farmers in the area with the coordination of Poonaryn Divisional Secretariat.
Further, traditional games were organized and gifts were presented to the winners. Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks also were present during the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Thai Pongal Day Celebration of Security Forces - Wanni area was conducted on 15 January 2024 at Randewola Kannakai Amman Kovil, Omanthe. Major General W.P.A.D.W. Nanayakkara RSP VSV USP ndu, Commander, Security Forces - Wanni, graced the occasion.
The Puja Ceremony was presided by Brahmasri Soma Sundaram Nangarasa Kurukkal, the priest of Randewola Kannakai Amman Kovil. District Secretary Mr. P.A Sarathchandra, General Officer Commanding, 56 Infantry Division, Officers, Other Ranks and a large number of Hindu devotees participated in the event.
Meanwhile, 68 Infantry Division troops celebrated Hindu Thai Pongal festival on a grand scale at Murugan Hindu Temple in Puthukkudiyiruppu on Monday (15 Jan). General Officer Commanding, 68 Infantry Division, Major General S Kasthurimudali RSP ndc psc, Commander, 593 Infantry Brigade, Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and a large crowd of devotees took part in the celebration.
In the meanwhile, troops of 593 Infantry Brigade, on account of the Thai Pongal festival assisted to organize the Thai Pongal Festival arrangement at Murugan Hindu Temple in Puthukkudiyiruppu.
