06th July 2018 16:46:35 Hours
Troops of 23 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment under command to 24 Division assist the pilgrims who are marching in the historic ‘Katharagama Pada Yathra’ from Okanda up to Kumana through Yala National Park in cooperating with the Divisional Secretariat – Ampara. The gate entrance to Yala National Park in Okanda was opened to devotees by Major General Mahinda Mudalige, General Officer Commanding 24 Division together with Mr. Nuwan J Wedasinghe, DIG Ampara in the early morning on 04 July after venerating the God at Okanda Sri Murugan Kovil.
On the very first day, over thousands of pilgrims came from various parts of the country, especially from the Northern and Eastern provinces have entered through the gate and some of disable and old devotees were carried by the members of Army.
Troops of 23 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment together with Water Supply Board Lahugala extended their fullest support to distribute water among devotees. The gate will be opened for devotees until the 22 of July in order to attend Asala Maha Perahara in Katharagama.
More than 25,000 devotees had participated in the ‘Pada Yathra’ last year and similar amount of pilgrims is expected in this year as well.
