Navy seeks blessings for its 75th anniversary, with solace for affected communities

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted an all-night Pirith chanting and alms giving ceremony at the Welisara Naval Complex on 06 and 07 Dec 25, commemorating its 75th anniversary and seeking blessings for all citizens affected by recent adverse weather conditions across the island.

The solemn religious programme, was graced by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit (NSVU), Mrs. Anusha Banagoda. The ceremony was part of a series of multi-religious observances organized to invoke blessings for the Navy on its historic milestone.

The meritorious events were organized by the Naval Buddhist Association as per the directives of Commander of the Navy. The proceedings of religious rituals had been arranged at the counsel of Chief Incumbent of Vidyawansha Maha Pirivena Minioluwa, Mirigama and Maha Nayake of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Agga Maha Panditha Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayaka Thera and Karaka Sangha Sabhika of Ramanna Nikaya, Chief Incumbent of Mulagandhakuti Viharaya, Venerable Panditha Kerawalapitiye Sumeda Thera.

On the evening of 06 December, fallen naval war heroes were commemorated by laying a flower wreath at the Naval War Hero Memorial, Welisara and lighting up oil lamps. To commence all-night Pirith Chanting ceremony, the Relic Casket and Piruwana Poth Wahanse were brought from Mulagandhakuti Viharaya to the Welisara Naval Complex. Soon after, the holy casket and “Piruwana Poth Wahanse” were placed in the Pirith Mandapaya, the Pirith Chanting ceremony got underway.

Further, offering of mid-day alms and Pirikara to 75 members of Maha Sangha, arrived from Mulagandhakuti Viharaya, were held at the Welisara Naval Complex on 07 December. Following the alms giving ceremony, Ven. Maha Sangha transferred merits on fallen naval war veterans and blessings were invoked on disabled naval war heroes, Commander of the Navy, naval personnel both serving and retired, their family members and the Navy, for its 75th anniversary as well as on those affected by recent adverse weather.

The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, the Deputy Chief of Staff cum Director General Logistics, Rear Admiral Ruwan Kalubowila, Director General Health Services and President of Naval Buddhist Association Rear Admiral Janaka Marambe, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Jagath Kumara, Area Commanders, Director Generals, executive committee members of the NSVU, flag-rank officers as well as officers and sailors from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command were also present on these occasions.