SECURITY FORCES HEADQUARTERS KILINOCHCHI TROOPS CELEBRATE SINHALA HINDU NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season across the country made its entry to the Iranamadu Wavu Thavulla in this Saturday (08) morning as both Officers and soldiers of the Security Forces Headquarters - Kilinochchiand under command battalions joined hands together to celebrate the auspicious event, giving prominence to the traditional New Year games and other associated events.\r\n\r\nCommander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi, Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana as the Chief Guest, together with Mrs. R Ketheeswaran, District Secretary –Mullaitivu, Mr. M Welikanna, Deputy Inspector General - Kilinochchiand a host of other senior officers, including the General Officer Commanding and Government Officials in Kilinochchi took time off to enjoy the day’s celebration, ‘Soorya Mangallaya 2017’ with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThe chain of collective events began to get off the ground soon after separate organizers gathered at specific places to flag off each event. A cross-country marathon run that took place early in the morning was competed by hundreds of all ranks serving in the Security Forces Headquarters Kilinochchi before the main ceremony got off the ground. \r\n\r\nGiven priority to traditional customs and rituals,most gorgeous and highlighted event of the ceremony is \" Iranamadu Wevu Thavulugama\", the village specially build up to display the Sri Lankan heritage to people in Northern to make aware the them and to build up the bridge for mutual awareness of Northern and Southern. The village included with Arachchigedara, Karaththagedara (Cart house), Wedagedara, Kammalgedara (blacksmith house), Kumbalgedara (Clay pot maker house) and Deewaragedara (fisherman house).\r\n\r\nTraditional and merry-making games and collective competitions, such as, gunny bag races, eye-placing on the elephant, grease-pole climbing, pot cracking, bun-eating, pillow fighting, tracing of hidden guest, drinking milk through soother, cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, musical chairs, fancy dresses, counting of papaya seeds, needle and thread, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (new year princess) and ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (new year prince) and several other games and other age-old practices were among the highlights that dominated the day’s chain of events to the much amusement of all the onlookers.\r\n\r\nMajor General Ajith Kariyakarawana, accompanied by invitees and several Senior Officers during festival spent a few minutes in the typical model houses and shared refreshments with them. He also took time off to go round the ground and speak to all Army personnel participating in various contests.\r\n\r\nKaraththa Gedara (Cart house) which was constructed by24 Gamunu Watch Regiment was awarded a special gift by the chief guest citing it as the most attractive and traditional house in the Iranamadu Wavu Thavulugama. \r\n\r\nAt the end of the New Year festival, Commander Security Forces - Kilinochchi and several senior officers gave away gifts to the winners in different events and competitions.\r\n\r\n General Officer Commanding,Senior Officers, Officersand other ranks, invitees and members of the civil staff enjoyed the arrangements in collective mood and festive spirits.
