SECURITY FORCE COMMANDER (EAST) WAS HONORED BY BIKKUHS IN POLONNARUWA

As the Buddhists celebrate the “Esala Full-Moon Poya Day” with great reverence, with religious festivals and processions throughout the country, villagers in Welikanda and surrounding villages at Polonnaruwa District joined with “Sri MahindaramaViharasthanaya,” (Buddhist Temple) to organize a programme giving prominence for yet another ritual of the Sri Lankan Buddhists.

This programme had two objectives: one, to conduct “Pohoda Sil,” during which preaching Dhamma sermons by reputed monks was a regular feature, Religious discussions, and Meditation. This Poya Day carries a great significant to all Buddhist because the followers’ believe that Lord Buddha's preaching of his First Sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to the five ascetics took place at the ‘Deer Park', near Benares, on an Esala poya day, thereby inaugurating his public ministry and it is the annual rains retreat of the monks, “Vas”, which commences on the day following the Esala Full Moon as a common understanding. Two, To honour and commend the individuals who actively involved in developing, contributing, funding and protecting the Buddhism in the area.

It is owing to the combination of all these events “Dumindagamana Esala Bethi Gee Saraniya” (consisted of famous soul-soothing songs sung by various artistes extolling the life and deeds of the Lord Buddha) was held in fabulous form at “Sri MahindaramaViharasthanaya” on 27 July 2018.

During this programme, Comd SF (East) Maj Gen Santhusitha Pananwala was accorded with “SUGATHASASANA JANAJAYASADANA SAMAGRASRI” honor by the Registrar “Shashanarakshaka Balamandala,” Polonnaruwa District, Registrar Sri Lanka Amarapura Ariyawansha Saddamma, and Chief incumbent of Jayanthi Vihara, Kaduruwela, Ven. Nuwara Dhammapala thero to appreciate his active involvement to uplift the Buddhist community in the Eastern provision. Further, it is considered to be one of the highest recognitions that a civilian can earn from Buddist monks for respecting his or her service / dedication rendered to Buddhism.

GOC 23 Div - Brig Chula Abeynayake, Brig Comd 233 Bde - Col Anil Samarasiri, the Residential Project Manager, Mahaweli Zone B - Thushara Danthanarayana and many other Chief incumbents of various temples including a large crowd of civilian were participated for the event.