[2012-01-15
18:55:35]
More than 10000
people crossing the Elephant Pass (EPS) gateway to Jaffna peninsula
had a stop there short while to taste the largest “Pongal” cooked
by Jaffna soldiers celebrating the “Thai Pongal Day”, an important
Hindu cultural festival on Sunday (15).
Troops of the Security
Forces – Jaffna created a model Hindu village at EPS and decorated
the venue according to Hindu tradition. Serving Pongal” to each
and every passerby commenced early in the morning and rice was
cooked by the soldiers of the 55 Division at the location and
gave packs of gifts to people with sponsorship of Unilever Company.
Chief Guest of the
function General Officer Commanding 55 Division Brigadier Ruwan
Kulatunga and other invited gussets arrived in the venue around
9.30 a.m..
The cultural show
organized by the SF-J at the same location attracted invited guests
and visitors who stopped there to enjoy the treatment of soldiers.
Students of Champianpattu Government Tamil Mixed School and Pulopallai
Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School presented their performances
at the show. Parcels of dry ration and garments were given away
to Hindu families and gifts were distributed among students who
presented traditional dances.
Religious
leaders of Hindu, Catholic and Islam faith were present at the
celebration. Brigade Commanders, Unit Commanders and soldiers
of all ranks of the 55 Division contributed to make this grand
event a success.
Meanwhile,
52 Division of Varani organized a separate Thai Pongal celebration
at Chavakachcheri Cultural Hall the same day morning. Nearly 1000
civilians in the area attended the special Pooja followed by a
cultural show presented by the Sri Lanka Army band, Chavakachcheri
Kala Sangam and Varani School. Meals were provided to all present
on the occasion
General Officer Commanding
52 division Brigadier Anura Sudhasinghe and other invited guests
gave away gifts to those who presented cultural items at the event.
On concept of Commander SF-J Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe,
this Headquarters last year too served “Pongal” and tea to over
9000 people on the "Thai Pongal” Day to foster national unity
through cultural harmony.
