Navy flag blessing ceremony held at sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
In view of the 67th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy which falls on 09th December 2017, a colourful ceremony to invoke blessings on naval flags was held at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura yesterday (20 November) under the auspices of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe. The President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Sandya Ranasinghe was also present at this religious event.
The customary religious ceremony which was held for the 6th consecutive year was led by venerable Maha Sangha of Atamasthanaya. During the ceremony, over 82 flags including the National Flag, Buddhist Flag, Naval Ensign, Naval Commands’ and Afloat Command’s flags, flags of naval establishments and ships were blessed, having laid them at the foot of sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
The occasion was attended by Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro, Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Merril Wickramasinghe, Commanders from other naval areas, Director Generals of the Navy, senior naval officers attached to the Naval Headquarters and the North Central Naval Command, sailors and a large number of devotees as well. A ‘Kapruk Pooja Pinkama’ was also held at Ruwanveliseya to coincide with the flag blessing ceremony. Blessings were invoked on the Navy at this religious ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Navy Buddhist Association.
In parallel with these religious ceremonies, the Commander of the Navy declared open a Reverse Osmosis plant installed to fulfill the safe drinking water requirement of thousands of devotees who come to pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. The Maha Sangha including Anuradhapura Atamasthanadipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province of the Malwattte Maha Vihara Chapter of the Shyamopali Maha Nikaya, Venerable Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera, senior naval officers and devotees were present on the occasion. The Reverse Osmosis plant produced by the Sri Lanka Navy had been sponsored by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana.
Flag Blessing Ceremony
Kapruk Pooja Pinkama
Open Reverse Osmosis Plant