16th March 2026 21:32:28 Hours
Under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, troops of the 9th Battalion Sri Lanka National Guard conducted a community service initiative to clean the Dharmashala and surrounding premises of the Dunumawa Ancient Gallen Viharaya.
The temple premises, located within the Ridigama Divisional Secretariat area in the Dunumawa Grama Niladhari Division (572) had been affected by the recent Cyclone "Ditwah". As a result, soil rocks and fallen timber from an upper slope had slid down and accumulated inside the temple’s Dharmashala.
Responding to the situation, troops of the 9th Battalion Sri Lanka National Guard, together with personnel from the 57 Infantry Division and local residents carried out a Shramadana programme to remove the debris and restore the temple premises.
This community support initiative was conducted under the guidance of the Commander of the Security Forces (West), the General Officer Commanding of the 57 Infantry Division, and the Commander of the 571 Infantry Brigade with supervision from the Commanding Officer of the 9th Battalion Sri Lanka National Guard.
The programme commenced on 06 March 2026 and continued until 12 March 2026. Troops from the 57 Infantry Division, 571 Infantry Brigade and the 9th Battalion Sri Lanka National Guard actively contributed to the successful completion of the initiative.
During the programme, the Commander of the 571 Infantry Brigade, the Commanding Officer of 9 SLNG and the Second-in-Command of 9 SLNG also visited the location to oversee and monitor the progress of the community service activity.
