Religious rites to precede Army Day

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

A series of religious observances have been scheduled this week a precursor to the forthcoming Sri Lanka Army's sixty fourth anniversary and the Army Day which falls on October 10. Today special poojas will be held at the Kataragama Devalaya and the Kiri Vehera temple, to remember the war heroes and to invoke blessings and transfer of merits. On October 8, Hindu, Roman Catholic and Christian religious ceremonies will be held in Colombo.

On Army Day, October 10, the traditional Commander's parade and all other formal functions will be held at the Army Headquarters. As a first items Sri Lanka Army held the Flag Blessing ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy on September 28. This was the first time a flag blessing ceremony was held at the Maligawa.

The customary flag-blessing ceremony was held at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura on October 1. In keeping with Islamic traditions special prayers were held on October 3 at the Dawatagaha Jumma Masjid Mosque, at the Colombo Town Hall junction. On October 4, another series of ceremonies were held at the Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya. On the same day an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony was held followed by a Heel Daana (breakfast) and Saangika Dhana (alms) to the Bhikkus the next day.

A tree-planting ceremony, opening of the new Dhamma school building and the release of five head of cattle from slaughter were among the other events at the Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya.

The Army, raised in October 1949, comprises of 24 regiments, including volunteers, and is engaged in a multiplicity of nation-building development projects following the victory over LTTE terrorists in 2009.