10th August 2021 08:07:38 Hours
Paying obeisance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Kandy and the forthcoming annual Sri Dalada Perahera festival, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops donated more than ten tons of dried coconut (Coppara) for the 8th consecutive year on 09 August 2021 for the illumination of the Dalada Pageant adhering the guidelines stipulated to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak.
On invitation of the Commander Security Force (Mullaitivu) and Colonel of the Regiment of VIR, Major General S P K A Pilapitiya RWP RSP USP, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General L H S C Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil 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 at the upper chamber of the Sacred Tooth Relic after he was received by the Senior Officers and Diyawadana Nilame.
As per the day’s itinerary, then 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 8 year consecutive assistance to illuminate the Dalada Perahera, Commander of the Army offered symbolic trays of Coppara to the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of Scared Tooth Relic, Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, Basnayaka Nilame of Vishnu Devalaya, Mr Mahendra Ratwatte and representatives of other three Devala (Natha, Paththini and Katharagama). As the day’s final setting, Commander of the Army and Diyawadana Nilame Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara exchanged mementoes in remarking this notable event followed by a speech conducted by Diyawadana Nilame as he was appreciated the commitment of Sri Lanka Army and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on this sacred and noble cause.
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 respect to the annual Esala Perahera event in Kandy which is a national cause to support to continue ancient practice. Coconuts donated by VIR battalions are collected and used for this sacred purpose throughout the year with the dedication and commitment of the VIR troops at Boyagane.
Major General S U M N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, General Officer Commanding, 53 Division, Major General K Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division, Senior Officers of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, and Other Ranks also took part in the day's programme.
