16th July 2020 12:21:41 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 donated more than five tons of dried coconut (Coppara) for the 7th consecutive year for illumination of the Perahera on 15.07.2020 while adhering to age-old traditions of ancient royalties.
Lieutenant General L H S C Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc pdc, Commander of the Army at the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment VIR, Brigadier S P K A Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP 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.
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 2014, 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.
Major General Jaliya Senarathna, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division, Brigadier Sisira Pilapitiya, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR and Director, Directorate of Personnel Administration and several Senior Officers and Other Ranks were associated with the day's programme.
