SAPPERS CELEBRATE SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR AT THE SCHOOL OF MILITARY ENGINEERING
The third in the series of New Year festivals organised by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers in collaboration with the SevaVanitha Branch of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers was held at Embilipitiyaon 23 April 2016. It drew over 1300 family members of officers and men of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers who partookof the traditional festivities and games.
Major General KMU Wijerathne USP ndu Commander Security Force Headquarters (East) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest together with MrsDeepthiWijerathne.
The hoisting of the National flag by the Chief Guest Major General KMU Wijerathne USP ndumarked the commencement of the event followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp. Thereafter traditional sweetmeats laid at Gamagedara were shared by the large gathering along with the Chief Guest, keeping celebrate customs and traditions.A range of traditional games followed with great enthusiasm from the children and the adults.Much anticipated ‘SingithiAvuruduKumariya’ pageantwas also staged.Gama Gedara, WedaGedara, Game Kade, KammalGedara, activities such as Onchiliwaram, BehethOruwa, UnaWedilla, Raban playingand characters such as Gama Mahattatya, Gama Hamine and Kadiratransformed the atmosphere in to a traditional village.
Useful gifts were presented to winners of the events by the Chief Guest and members of the SevaVanithaBranch of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers.
