Remembrance and 'Pirith'Chanting Ceremony to invoke blessing on the Fallen Heroes

An all night 'Pirith' Chanting Ceremony was held to invoke blessing on all those who lost their lives or went missing in the war against terrorism at the Naval base in Trincomalee, last Saturday (23rd May). It was held under the aegis of The commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, where many other high ranking officers were also present. This event was preceded by a ceremony to pay respect to the Fallen Heroes, during the morning the same day. The 'Pirith' ceremony was followed a 'Sanghika Dhakshinawa ' ( almsgiving ceremony) to the Buddhist clergy. The unique feature of this event was the holding of this almsgiving ceremony onboard SLNS Sayura. This is the first time a programme of this sort was held onboard a Naval ship.

This is a fitting tribute to all those naval personal who laid down their lives to protect the country from the clutches of terror. These brave men were at the first frontier,the sea effectively cutting off the enemy's movement and stopping their supply and logistics through sea.

The Trincomalee Naval Base was the main launching pad for most of the Naval operations against the enemy. This is where most of the ships and vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy operate and is also the 'home' for thousands of officers and sailors. That is why it is rightly considered the 'Heart' of the Sri Lanka Navy. And it undoubtedly is the most suitable venue to pay tribute to all those brave Naval souls who laid down their lives in order for us to lead a peaceful life.

The Sri Lanka Navy played a decisive role in this war to vanquish the most brutal terrorist outfit in the world, the LTTE. The Eelam War IV, was the beginning of the end of the LTTE and its megalomaniac leader, Prabhakaran. The unstoppable winning streak of the Tri Forces of Sri Lanka began from Mavil Aru, when the merciless LTTE cut off the life line water supply to the paddy fields of the Trincomalee District, denying the innocent farmers of their livelihood.

>> Full Story