(PICTURES) Army Flags blessed at Temple of the Tooth

COLOMBO (News 1st); The inauguration ceremony and religious commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army got underway on Monday (27) at the Temple of the Tooth - Kandy.

The occasion was graced by the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva accompanied by senior Officers, Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors etc by adhering to the health guidelines.

Sri Lanka Army flag, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force flag, All Security Forces Headquarters flags, Forward Maintenance Area flags, Divisions flags and Regimental flages were blessed during this occasion.

As has been the practice, colourful Army flags, including the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, all Security Force Headquarters, Forward Maintenance Areas, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Training Centres and formations across the country that add symbolic value to the living memory, dignity of the organization and all members serving each of those wings, took the centre-stage of attraction as those flags were taken respectfully in procession to the upper chamber and the ‘Paththirippuwa’ (octagon) of the Dalada Maligawa by representative Officers of each unit, led by the Chief Guest, General Shavendra Silva.

As the Head of the organization, the Commander of the Army carried the Sri Lanka Army Flag at the front of the procession for symbolic invocation of blessings.

Flags were subsequently delivered to the monks in charge of the ‘Thevava’ at the upper chamber where chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ and conduct of religious observances invoked blessings on the Army’s long journey for defence of the country.