Proceedings of 72nd Anniversary of Navy commence at Ruwanwelisaya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

The symbolic Kanchuka Puja and Flag Blessing ceremonies organized in view of the 72nd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy were held under the auspices of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne along with the attendance of the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne at the Ruwanwelisaya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura on 09th and 10th November 2022. The Buddhist Association of Sri Lanka Navy organized these events to invoke blessings on the forthcoming Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, falling on 09th December.

On the occasion of its 72nd Anniversary, a series of multi-religious programmes are set to get underway in due course. Commencing the Buddhist religious rituals, Commander of the Navy paid his obeisance to Atamasthanadhipathi, Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya, Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwara Kalaviya, Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera on 09th November. Next, the Kanchuka Puja ceremony got underway at the Ruwanwelisaya. Showing spiritual sentiments, Commander of the Navy and senior officers adorned the Ruwanwelisaya with a 300m – long Buddhist Flag, brought by a colourful procession to the premises.

Thereupon, with the wise counsel of Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, performance of religious observances was conducted by the lecturer of Anuradhapura Maha Vihara Maha Pirivena, Chief Incumbent of Lolugaswewa Aramaya, Rajakeeya Panditha Ven. (Dr) Kudagala Wewe Gnanavimala Thera. In parallel, the Bhikku was offered Pirikara and Gilanpasa.

This morning (10th November), Commander of the Navy called on Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura, Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera before the naval flags, brought by a colourful procession, were laid at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to invoke blessings. Coinciding with the rituals associated with the ceremony, the Adhikarana Sanghanayaka of the North and North Central Provinces and Chief Incumbent of the Lankaramaya Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajoti Thera chanted Pirith and invoked blessings on naval flags.

At the invitation of Commander of the Navy and counsel of Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera the main sermon was conducted by Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajoti Thera. During the sermon, he transferred merits and invoked blessings on fallen naval war veterans, missing and disabled naval heroes as well as members of naval family who have made enormous sacrifices for the defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland through these years. Wishing all the strength for the Sri Lanka Navy to protect the nation and resolution for the perpetuation of Buddhism in the country, Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajoti Thera also invoked blessings on Commander of the Navy, all naval personnel and their family members for the successful conduct of their future endeavours.

Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera, President of Naval Buddhist Association and Director General Engineering, Rear Admiral Ravi Ranasinghe, Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Prasad Kariyapperuma, Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Director Generals of the Navy, Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana, executive committee members of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, flag rank officers, officers and sailors from the Navy Headquarters and other Naval Commands were also present on these events.