VIR PROVIDES KOPPARA TO ILLUMINATE SRI DALADA ESALA PERAHERA FOR 11th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Paying obeisance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Kandy and the forthcoming annual Sri Dalada Esala Perahera festival, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops donated more than sixteen tons of dried coconut (Koppara) for the 11th consecutive year on 01 August 2024 for the illumination of the Dalada Pageant.

On invitation of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Colonel of the Regiment of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu graced the occasion as the Chief Guest attaching greater significance to the occasion. The Commander of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment VIR made offerings to the Sacred Tooth Relic after he was received by the Senior Officers and Diyawadana Nilame.

Since the year 2014, preparation of those dried coconuts to be used as lamps for the Perahera has been done by Vijayabahu troops as well as several other regiments as a respect to the annual Esala Perahera event in Kandy which is a national cause to support to continue ancient practice.

After handing over dried coconuts to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, views were exchanged regarding the security program and other important matters related to conducting the Esala Perahara this time during a brief discussion presided over by Diyawadana Nilame and the Commander of the Army.

As the day’s final setting, Commander of the Army and Diyawadana Nilame Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela exchanged mementoes in remarking this notable event followed by a speech conducted by Diyawadana Nilame as he appreciated the continuous commitment of the army for the Esala Perahara festival and expressed his gratitude to all heroic soldiers who contributed to the koppara donation.