A ceremony was held to invoke blessings on Naval flags at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura on November 20 under the auspices of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe in view of the 67th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, which fell on December 9.
Navy Seva Vanitha Unit President Sandya Ranasinghe was present.
The customary religious ceremony was held for the 6th consecutive year led by the Maha Sangha of the Atamasthanaya. During the ceremony, over 82 flags including the National Flag, Buddhist Flag, Naval Ensign, Naval Commands’ and Afloat Command’s flags, flags of Naval establishments and ships were blessed, having laid them at the foot of Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro, Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Merril Wickramasinghe, Commanders from other Naval areas, Director Generals of the Navy, senior Naval officers attached to the Naval Headquarters and the North Central Naval Command, sailors and a large number of devotees participated. A ‘Kapruk Pooja Pinkama’ was held at the Ruwanveliseya to coincide with the flag blessing ceremony. Blessings were invoked on the Navy at the religious ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Navy Buddhist Association.
The Commander of the Navy declared open a Reverse Osmosis plant installed to fulfill the safe drinking water requirement of thousands of devotees who come to pay homage to the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
The Maha Sangha including Anuradhapura Atamasthanadipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province of the Malwattte Maha Vihara Chapter of the Shyamopali Maha Nikaya, Venerable Dr.Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera, senior Naval officers and devotees were present. The Reverse Osmosis Plant produced by the Sri Lanka Navy was sponsored by the Buddha Sasana Ministry.