SLAF CONDUCTS MAIDEN FLAG BLESSING CEREMONY AND KAPRUK POOJA AT SACRED RUHUNU MAHA KATARAGAMA DEVALAYA
3:01pm on Monday 29th August 2022
For the first time in SLAF’s history conducted a Flag Blessing Ceremony and a ‘Kapruk Pooja’ to invoke blessings on the occasion of celebrating 71 illustrious years of a legacy at the Katharagama sacred ‘Kiri Vehera’ on 27 August 2022. This initiative was taken this year on the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. The event was also held under the auspices of the Commander of the Air Force along with his lady, Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Charmini Pathirana.
The procession for the “Kapruk Pooja” proceeded to the Kiri Vehera premises with a colourful perahera made up of Dances and flower offerings. A colourful pageant accompanied by monks proceeded to the Kiri Vehera Chaithya for religious performances as flag-bearers lined up at the location. The Kapruk Poojawa was followed by a Dharma Sermon delivered by the Chief Incumbent of Katharagama Kirivehera, Ven Kobawaka Damminda Thero at the Kiri Vehera premises.
Meanwhile, yet another procession of religious ceremonies took place along with the spiritual customs of ‘Gilanpasa Pooja', enlightening of an eternal flaming oil lamp (Dolosmahe Pahana) which was also held at the location. The Air Force insignia and all flags representing Air Force Establishments were taken for the symbolic invocation of blessings. This symbolized the blessing of all personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force serving around the entire island in various capacities.
After the blessings of Maha Sangha, Commander and all the SLAF members gradually entered the grounds of the ‘Maha Devalaya’ with a spectacular perehera procession with a mesmerizing ‘Kawadi’ Dance act performed by SLAF dancers at Directorate of Performing Arts. The Commander and the members of the Air Force Board of Management moved inside the Maha Devalaya and attended to the spiritual blessings.
The solemn event was facilitated by Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devala, Dilshan Gunesekara, hosted by SLAF Station Weeravila under the close supervision made by Group Captain Asoka Koralage and was attended by the Member of the Air Force Board of Management along with their ladies, Commandant, Base Commanders, Commanding Officers, Senior Officers, Airmen and Airwomen representing the entire Air Force.
The procession for the “Kapruk Pooja” proceeded to the Kiri Vehera premises with a colourful perahera made up of Dances and flower offerings. A colourful pageant accompanied by monks proceeded to the Kiri Vehera Chaithya for religious performances as flag-bearers lined up at the location. The Kapruk Poojawa was followed by a Dharma Sermon delivered by the Chief Incumbent of Katharagama Kirivehera, Ven Kobawaka Damminda Thero at the Kiri Vehera premises.
Meanwhile, yet another procession of religious ceremonies took place along with the spiritual customs of ‘Gilanpasa Pooja', enlightening of an eternal flaming oil lamp (Dolosmahe Pahana) which was also held at the location. The Air Force insignia and all flags representing Air Force Establishments were taken for the symbolic invocation of blessings. This symbolized the blessing of all personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force serving around the entire island in various capacities.
After the blessings of Maha Sangha, Commander and all the SLAF members gradually entered the grounds of the ‘Maha Devalaya’ with a spectacular perehera procession with a mesmerizing ‘Kawadi’ Dance act performed by SLAF dancers at Directorate of Performing Arts. The Commander and the members of the Air Force Board of Management moved inside the Maha Devalaya and attended to the spiritual blessings.
The solemn event was facilitated by Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devala, Dilshan Gunesekara, hosted by SLAF Station Weeravila under the close supervision made by Group Captain Asoka Koralage and was attended by the Member of the Air Force Board of Management along with their ladies, Commandant, Base Commanders, Commanding Officers, Senior Officers, Airmen and Airwomen representing the entire Air Force.
