SAPPERS AT ENGINEER BRIGADE ENJOY “HELASANSKRUTHIKA KREEDA MANGALYA†AT BOO OYA - 2016
The traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season across the country made its entry into Engineer Brigade Boo-oya, Vauvniya on 17 April 2016 morning, when over hundred officers and over thousand soldiers with their families joined hands to celebrate the HELA SANSKRUTHIKA KREEDA MANGALYA- 2016 giving prominence to traditional new year games and other associated fun filled acivites. The event was organized by the Engineer Brigade in collaboration with the Seva Vanitha Branch of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers.
The Chief of Staff (Joint Staff) Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General L N Wickramasuriya RSP VSV USP ndu psc graced the occasion as the Chief Guest together with Mrs L N Wickramasuriya. The day’s ceremony commenced as reverberating rhythms of ‘Magul Bera’ flanked by Kandyan dancers heralded by the arrival of the Chief Guest & his spouse to be welcomed by senior officers & spouses before hoisting of the national flag by the Chief Guest Major General Lasantha Wickramasuriya.
The occasion turned dignified as everyone rose to their feet to recite the National Anthem in turn, marking the formal commencement of the day’s event.Thereafter, tea table with traditional sweetmeats was laid at Gamagedara where hundreds of all ranks joined hands with the Chief Guest,in keeping with customs and traditions to partake of it.
A cross country marathon run that took place early in the morning was competed by hundreds of all ranks serving in the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers before the main ceremony. Traditional and fun filled games and collective competitions, such as raban playing, gunny bag races, eye-placing on the dummy elephant, grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, bun-eating, pillow fighting, cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, musical chairs, fancy dress,avurudhukumari etc, dominated the day’s event in the Sappers’ HELA SANSKRUTHIKA KREEDA MANGALYA - 2016.
The Engineer Brigade premises was transformed into a traditional village with Arachchi Gedara, Gami Gedara, Game Kade, Weda Gedara, Wadu Gedara, Kammal Gedara and Kumbal Gedaraalongwith elegantly-clad occupants. It was an educative environment not only for children, but also most adults with the benefit of experiencing traditions, customs, etiquettes and heritage. Major General LN Wickramasuriya & Mrs LN Wickramasuriya, accompanied by several senior officers and their families toured the entire village.
