Commander of the Navy attends annual Katina Pinkama at Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne attended the annual Katina Pinkama ceremony at the Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya on the island of Nainativu in Jaffna on 22nd October 2021.

The arrangements of the Katina Pinkama ceremony that fell on 21st and 22nd of this month were organized by the Northern Naval Command, under the counsel of the Chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Sanghanayake for Northern Province, Most Ven. Nawadagala Padumakitti Tissa Thero and directives of Commander of the Navy.

To coincide with the Pinkama Ceremony a Bodhi Pooja and an all-night Pirith Chanting were also held on 21st October 2021. Following the Katina Robe (Cheewara) was brought in procession from the Naval Detachment of Nagadeepa to the Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, commander of the Navy joined the meritorious deed to offer alms and offer ‘Pirikara’ to 25 members of Ven. Maha Sangha. Besides, the Navy provided lunch to the community of the Nainativu Island this afternoon as well.

Moreover, Commander of the Navy on 22nd October 2021 declared open the ‘Piriniwan Manchaka’ fashioned by craftsmen of the Navy, at Pothgul Viharaya in the temple premises, for the veneration of devotees. Further, foundation stone laying for a proposed Pilgrims Hall of the Buddha Walauwa Viharaya attached to Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya was also presided over by Commander of the Navy.

The proceedings of the religious rituals were organized adhering to COVID-19 protocols taking the pandemic situation into consideration. Former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Navy, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera, Deputy Area Commander (North), Commodore Saman Perera and a limited group of naval personnel of Northern Naval Area and devotees were present on this occasion.