[2012-04-13
18:15:22]
Highlighting
the significance of age-old traditions and religious performances,
people in Jaffna celebrated the Sinhala and Hindu New Year 2012
in high profile. Since days prior to the festival, all shops in
Jaffna city and other urban areas were filled with customers buying
needs for the oncoming cultural festival. Festivals to celebrate
the New Year had been organized many places in the peninsula with
traditional games and sports.
Security Forces
- Jaffna (SF-J) with coordination of civilians in respective areas
organized a number of New Year festivals. The 552 Brigade at Iyakkachchi
on 7th April organized a festival at the Brigade ground with participation
of people in Iyakkachchi area. More than 1500 civilians took part
in various sports events such as musical chair, tug-of-war, weaving
cadjans, eating buns etc.. Troops of 23rd Gemunu Watch and 12th
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment organized the Iyakkachchi New Year
Festival.
The 51 Division
at Kopay also organized a New Year festival at the 51 Division
playground on 10th April. Nearly 2500 civilians living in Urumpirai,
Selvapuram, Yogapuram and Krishna Kovilady took part in events
with joy and enthusiasm. Climbing greasy pole, marathon, pillow
fighting, eying the elephant and various other traditional games
and sports had been included in the day’s programme by the Army
for villagers. Thevaraja Thinesh and Rameshwari Janani won valuable
prizes as the winners of male and female bicycle races respectively.
Mahenthiran Thanushan and Suntharam Gauri were the winners of
the marathon race. M. Thilakshana of Selvapuram was crowned as
the New Year Princess. Seven girls from neighbouring villages
and five female soldiers were present for the New Year Princess
competition. The 51 Division offered cash prizes to all village
girls who participated in the New Year Princes competition and
valuable prizes to winners of other events.
Religious
leaders, General Officer Commanding 51 Division Brigadier Piyal
Wickramarathne, Brigade Commanders, senior Army officers, Grama
Niladharis and a large crowd of villagers were present at Kopay
New Year Festival.
