Gilanpasa Puja and Alms Giving held at Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on 72nd Anniversary of Navy

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne along with the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Chandima Ulugetenne attended religious rituals where Gilanpasa Buddha Puja and Alms Giving were held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on 08th and 09th December 2022. The events were coordinated by the Buddhist Association, to invoke blessings on the 72nd Anniversary of the Navy.

As part of the religious segment of anniversary celebrations, the symbolic Kanchuka Puja and Flag Blessing ceremonies were held at the Ruwanwelisaya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Similarly, the Joint Christian Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service was held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Kotahena. Meanwhile, an All-night Pirith Chanting and Alms Giving ceremonies were held at the Welisara Naval Complex to transfer merits on fallen naval veterans and invoke blessings on naval personnel. Besides, a special Puja of Hindu tradition and Islamic prayer session were also held at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Kovil, Colombo and Jummah Mosque, Chatham Street.

During the customary ritual at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Gilanpasa was offered and flags were blessed on the evening of 08th December. Meanwhile, with pious sentiments Commander of the Navy offered alms to the Sacred Tooth Relic today (09th December).

Next, Commander of the Navy called on Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, Anunayake of Malwathu Chapter, committee member of Maha Vihara Vanshika Shyampali Maha Nikaya Malwatta Capter, Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Buddharakkitha Nayaka Thera, committee member of Maha Vihara Vanshika Shyampali Maha Nikaya Malwatta Capter, Ven. Weliwita Sri Dammarakshitha Soratha Nayaka Thera and Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammadassi Pangananda Gnanaratne Thera and invoked blessings, before the Alms Giving to 25 members of Maha Sangha.

During these events, members of Maha Sangha transferred merits on fallen naval war veterans and blessings were invoked on Commander of the Navy, serving and retired naval personnel and their family members on 72nd Anniversary of the Navy.

Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera, Director General Engineering and President of Naval Buddhist Association, Rear Admiral Ravi Ranasinghe, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, Director Generals, executive committee members of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, flag rank officers, officers and a group of sailors were also present on these occasions.