SIGNALLERS’ NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2018

Corps of Signals held their festive event of the New Year 2018 on Saturday, 07th April 2018 with the participation of both Officers and Other Ranks of the Corps of Signals who are serving at the HQCSO, Directorate of IT, Signals Brigade, Signals Regimental Centre, 5 SLSC, 10 SLSC, 11 SLSC, 12 SLSC and representative troops from other Signal Units. Major General Nilantha Hettiarachchi graced the occasion representing the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals Major General Ajith Wijesinghe during his absence caused by an official commitment in overseas. Chairperson of the Signals Seva Vanitha Branch, Mrs Arosha Wijesinghe, member ladies and their children, senior officers and officers of the Corps of Signals and many number of families of the Other Ranks too gathered at the Regimental playground where the ceremony was held.

Lighting of the traditional oil lamp by guests and cross section of Other Ranks followed by the National Anthem and two minutes silence signed the formal commencement of the festival. Then Signal regimental Centre Commandant Brigadier Ashoka Peiris delivered the New Year Message of the Colonel Commandant to the audience.

A variety of traditional games and events attracted the hearts and minds of all the participants, which included many merry-making traditional games and competitions, such as, cross-country running, pot-cracking, pillow-fighting, barrier races, grease-pole climbing, tracing the hidden guest, cadjan weaving, tug-of-war, musical chairs, disabled soldiers’ running event, slow-riding bikes, fancy dress performance, selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ (New Year prince), selection of the ‘Avurudu Kumari’ (New Year princess) etc and some special events for the kids that dominated the series of events to the much glee of every person.

A large model of a old-fashioned rural home well known as ‘Gama Gedera’ caused recalling our cultural heritage in good old days that facilitated for all the guests and participants with traditional refreshments unique to this traditional festive season in the country.