Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana along with his lady Mrs. Charmini Pathirana attended the maiden “Katina Pooja” (ritual offering of new robes) of the Sandahiru Seya organized yesterday evening (03 November 2022). To invoke the blessings, the sacred Katina robes were brought in a charming ritual to the temple in the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises and placed on the upper terrace. The Chief Incumbent of Sri Dalada Viharaya in Kindalegama, Medawachchiya presided over a religious session conducted at the Sandahiru Seya premises during the same evening.

Almsgiving was offered to the Ven. Maha Sangha at the Jaya Sri Maha Viharaya premises today (04 November 2022) morning and the Maha Sangha executed the religious performances during the occasion. Thereafter, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) offered new Katina robes to Ven. Maha Sangha at the Sandahiru Seya premises completing an ancient religious custom of ‘Katina Wasthra Puja’. The Chief Incumbent of Anuradhapura Mirisawetiya Rajamaha Viharaya Most Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanatilake thero while presiding over the session invoked blessings on the armed forces during the sermon held at the Sandahiru Seya.

The Commander of the Air Force also paid homage to Acting Atamasthanadhipathi and Ruwanweliseya temple Chief Incumbent Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana thero as all the religious proceedings were conducted under the supervision of Nayaka thero.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Director General of the Civil Security Department Major General Ranjan Lamahewage (Retd) along with their spouses, Defence Ministry Officials, Senior Military Officers and a large gathering of devotees.