14TH SRI LANKAN FORCE PROTECTION COMPANY UNIFIL CELEBRATES SINHALA & HINDU NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

The troops of 14th Force Protection Company (FPC) in Lebanon celebrated the Sinhala - Hindu New Year on Saturday (15) April 2023 at Greenhill camp premises, Naquora under the guidance of Lt Col D P L T Kaluaggala RSP USP IG SLA Commanding Officer of 14th FPC.

With the dawn of Sinhala and Hindu New Year day (14), the Commanding Officer along with few Officers and Other Ranks of 14th FPC met Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, the Head of Mission and Force Commander United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and presented a hamper of Sri Lankan sweets prepared for the New Year. Therein, he extended warmest New Year greetings to all Sri Lankan troops who are serving at the 14th FPC. On the same day, the Commanding Officer met Brigadier Bruno Helluy, the Chief of Staff and Mrs. Melva Crouch, the Director of Mission Support.

Giving prominence to the New Year rituals, the day’s event commence with boiling milk and lighting of traditional oil lamp with the presence of the Commanding Officer as the Chief Guest and Major (Retd) Mahinda Rathnayaka. During the festival, a number of New Year games and competitions like breaking the pots (Kanamutti bindeema), bun-eating, placing the eye on the elephant, lime on the spoon race etc. were followed by New Year tea table and all rank lunch.

In the evening, many varieties of dancing, 'Salu Paliya', balloon dance, dancing with a whiskey glass on the head, and a musical chairs competition were held to provide glamour and interest to the spectators. Towards the end, Commanding Officer and all Officers gave away gifts to winners. Accordingly, the New Year celebrations culminated with all rank dinner at the 'Sri House' premises.