‘Illangam Maduwa’ inaugurated by the Commander
9:07am on Thursday 10th July 2014
The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke inaugurated the first ever ‘Illangam Maduwa’ in the Air Force during the annual AOC’s inspection of SLAF Station Morawewa on 4th July 2014, marking yet another significant milestone in history of the indigenous art of ‘Angampora’. This also coincides with the second anniversary of introduction of ‘Angampora’ to the Air Force.
The event commenced with unveiling of the Samadhi Buddha Statue. This was followed by the opening of the ‘Illangam Maduwa’ and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Commander. The event was made colourful by a performance of both ‘Angam’ and ‘Illangam’ by members of the RSF, the Angampora Display Team and the instructors of the ‘Ange Medilla Ranapila’ including the main ‘Guru’ Deshamanya Dr. Ajantha Mahantharachchi himself.
The Commander also addressed the personnel present at the venue.
The Angampora training area, commonly known as ‘Illangam Maduwa,’ includes a ‘Gusthi Pitiya’ also known as ‘Akadaya,’ the ‘Ura Linda’ where fighting takes place and the ‘Illangam Maduwa’ itself. The picturesque ‘Wahalkada’ adds glamour to the entrance. Further, construction of an archives and briefing shed for displaying of all types of weapons used in the art and to address and acquaint the trainees/visitors on the art too are in the pipeline.
Also, present on the occasion was Air Commodore Camillus Labrooy (Chairman Angampora), Wing Commander Sulochana Marapperuma (CO SLAF Stn Morawewa, Wing Commander Rohan Pathirana (CO RSF), Wing Commander Namal Pitigala (Secretary Angampora) Squadron Leader Nandaka Kumara (Assistant Secretary Angampora) and the main ‘Guru’ of the Air Force Angampora Team Deshamanya Dr. Ajantha Mahantharachchi.
The event commenced with unveiling of the Samadhi Buddha Statue. This was followed by the opening of the ‘Illangam Maduwa’ and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Commander. The event was made colourful by a performance of both ‘Angam’ and ‘Illangam’ by members of the RSF, the Angampora Display Team and the instructors of the ‘Ange Medilla Ranapila’ including the main ‘Guru’ Deshamanya Dr. Ajantha Mahantharachchi himself.
The Commander also addressed the personnel present at the venue.
The Angampora training area, commonly known as ‘Illangam Maduwa,’ includes a ‘Gusthi Pitiya’ also known as ‘Akadaya,’ the ‘Ura Linda’ where fighting takes place and the ‘Illangam Maduwa’ itself. The picturesque ‘Wahalkada’ adds glamour to the entrance. Further, construction of an archives and briefing shed for displaying of all types of weapons used in the art and to address and acquaint the trainees/visitors on the art too are in the pipeline.
Also, present on the occasion was Air Commodore Camillus Labrooy (Chairman Angampora), Wing Commander Sulochana Marapperuma (CO SLAF Stn Morawewa, Wing Commander Rohan Pathirana (CO RSF), Wing Commander Namal Pitigala (Secretary Angampora) Squadron Leader Nandaka Kumara (Assistant Secretary Angampora) and the main ‘Guru’ of the Air Force Angampora Team Deshamanya Dr. Ajantha Mahantharachchi.
