23rd April 2018 21:22:11 Hours
23 Division of Security Forces – East organized a New Year festival which brought Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities together symbolizing cultural unity, at the Wandarammulla School grounds Batticaloa throughout Sunday (22) under the guidance of Brigadier Chula Abenayake, General Officer Commanding 23 Division.
Major General Manoj Mudannayaka, Commander Forward Maintenance Area (East) took time off to attend the festival as the Chief Guest. The hoisting of the National flag by the Chief Guest and lighting of the traditional oil lamp signaled the formal commencement of the day’s event.
The marathon, bicycle race, eye-placing on the elephant, grease pole climbing, pot cracking, pillow fighting, tracing of hidden guests, cadjan weaving, coconut scraping, slow cycling, tug-of-war, musical chair, fancy dresses, counting of papaya seeds, selecting of new year prince and princes and a number of other traditional and fun-making games dominated the day’s proceedings to the much amusement of all the onlookers. It was significant that the enthusiastic participation of Tamil and Muslim people in the games and winning prizes was a gesture that would promote the goodwill and reconciliation between Security Forces and ethnicities.
General Officer Commanding 22 Division Major General Aruna Jayasekara, General Officer Commanding 23 Division Brigadier Chula Abenayake, Government Agent Batticaloa Mr. Udaya Kumara, Assistant Divisional Secretariat Eraurpattu Chenkalady Mrs. M Mohedeen, DIG Batticaloa Mr. YJ Jagodaarachchi, Brigadier General Staff SFHQ(E) Brigadier Shantha Hewawitharana, Brigadier Admin and Quarter SFHQ(E) Brigadier Michal Wanniarachchi, all Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers and a host of eminent personnel representing Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim community attended in this grand event.
