30th July 2019 17:48:10 Hours
Paying obeisance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth) in Kandy and the conduct of the forthcoming annual Sri Dalada Perahera festival in a few days, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops for the 5th consecutive year donated more than five tons of dried coconut (Coppara) for illumination of the Perahera on 29.07.2019 while adhering to age-old traditions of ancient royalties.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army at the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment VIR, Major General D M D C D Gunawardana RWP USP ndc psc attaching greater significance to the occasion joined and offered the first symbolic tray of Coppara to the lay custodian of the temple, Mr Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara after performance of religious observances.
Colonel of the Regiment, together with Major General Laksiri Waduge, Commander Security Forces Central, Major General Senarath Bandara General Officer Commanding 11 Division and a few more Senior Officers received the Commander on arrival before he was ushered to make the offerings to the sacred shrine.
Mr Nilanga Dela Bandara, Diyawadana Nilame and representatives of other four Devala (Sathara Mahaa Devala) precincts received the stocks after they were brought to the temple premises in a procession.
Since the year 2015, preparation of those dried coconuts to be used as lamps for the Perahera has been done by VIR troops as a token of respect to the annual Esala Perahera event in Kandy. Coconuts from VIR groves are collected and used for this sacred purpose throughout the year with the dedication and commitment of the VIR troops resident in Boyagane.
After making the first symbolic stock of dried coconuts to the precincts, the Commander met the Diyawadana Nilame in his office and shared a couple of views with him on the conduct of the forthcoming Esala Perahera, scheduled to begin next week with special focus on security arrangements.
