FLAG BLESSING CEREMONY AT SACRED JAYA SRI MAHA BODHIYA
A series of special religious observances in parallel to the Sri Lanka Army’s 65th anniversary which falls on October 10, got underway at Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya precincts on 02nd October 2014, where all Army flags were symbolically blessed.
The flags of all Security Force Headquarters, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Unites and Army training schools across the country that symbolize the dignity of the organization and all the members who served for, respectively conducted in procession by representative officers of each establishment, while the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General R M D Ratnayake WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc placed them at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya.
The customary religious ceremony, led by Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasabhidhana Nayaka Thero, Atamastanadhipathi and Incumbent at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, together with several chief monks, symbolically invoked blessings on 450 of flags including the Army flag, all Regimental and formation flags after they were laid on a bed of lotus flowers at the foot of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya at Udamaluwa.
Chief of staff and all Principal Staff Officers, Commanders of Security Force, Commandants, General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders and a gathering of senior officers were present in the ceremony.
After the traditional flag blessing ceremony, the Commander of the Army visited Victory Army hospital in Anuradhapura in order to witness the ongoing constructional work in the premises. Afterward the Commander visited Swarnapali Balika Vidyalaya and Anuradhapura Central College, before his arrival to the Sunatha Army camp. Later the advent of the Commander to the Abhimansala occurred, to inquire the facilities and health condition of the resident war heroes and the commander didn’t forget to enjoy the lunch with them.
