VIR DONATES KOPPARA TO ILLUMINATE SRI DALADA ESALA PERAHERA FOR THE 10th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Showing highest regard and deepest veneration for conduct of the annual Kandy Sri Dalada Perahera (pageant), the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops offered fifteen tons of dried coconut (Koppara) for illumination of the historic pageant to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Kandy for the 10th consecutive year on 11 August 2023.

Upon the invitation of the Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General S U M N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu graced this occasion as the Chief Guest adding colours to the occasion. Then, the Commander of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment made offerings to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the upper chamber of the Sacred Tooth Relic after he was received by the Senior Officers and Chief Custodian.

As scheduled, the Commander of the Army was ushered to the International Buddhist Museum where the Media, Special Projects and Development Bureau of Sri Dalada Maligawa arranged for the next events. After witnessing a short documentary produced by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Media Section on Sri Lanka Army’s 10 years of continued assistance in illuminating the Dalada Perahera, the Commander of the Army offered trays of Koppara symbolically to the Chief Custodian (Diyawadana Nilame) the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic, Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara and representatives of four Devalas (Natha, Vishnu, Paththini and Katharagama).

Later on, the Commander of the Army and Diyawadana Nilame Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara exchanged mementoes in signifying this noteworthy event followed by a speech conducted by Diyawadana Nilame in appreciation of the commitment of Sri Lanka Army and the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on this sacred and noble cause. Setting the final segment of the day, the Commander of the Army together with Colonel of the Regiment of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment participated in a special breakfast arranged at Diyawadana Nilame's official residence on the invitation made by the Chief Custodian, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Major General DMKDB Pussella RWP RSP, the Commander SFHQ (West), Colonel Commandant SLAGSC and Senior Council Member of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment ,Maj General G R R P Jayawardena RWP RSP ndu, Colonel of the Regiment SLSR ,Major General SPAIMB Samarakoon Hdmc Lsc, Commander Logistic Command and Colonel ,Commandant SLEME, ,Major General S R B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc , Adjutant General AHQ and Senior Council Member of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General W W H R R V M N D K B Niyangoda RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, the Commander SFHQ (Central), Major General K A W S Ratnayake ndu, Colonel Commandant SLSC, Major General W T W G Ihalage RWP RSP psc ptsc , Colonel of the Regiment SF, Major General P G P S Rathnayaka RWP RSP , Colonel of the Regiment CR, Maj Gen A C A de Zoysa USP Hdmc Lsc, Colonel Commandant SLCMP, Major General P A C Fernando USP, Colonel Commandant SLAMC,officers of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, and Other Ranks also took part in the day's programme.