ANNUAL PIRITH CHANTING CEREMONY AND COMMEMORATION OF WAR HEROES BY NO. 7 AND NO. 9 HELICOPTER SQUADRONS
12:00am on Sunday 24th November 2024
The annual all-night Pirith chanting ceremony at No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, was held on 21 November 2024. The event, organized jointly by the members of No. 7 Helicopter Squadron and No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron, received the support of all sections of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda.
The ceremony commenced with a formal procession, during which the sacred Karaduwa (reliquary) was escorted to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron hangar. The reliquary was respectfully placed in the decorated Pirith Mandapaya by the Commanding Officer of the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, Group Captain Kanchana Liyanarachchi.
The event saw the participation of officers and other rank personnel, led by Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.
The chanting of Pirith continued throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual enrichment. An almsgiving ceremony followed on 22 November 2024, attended by personnel from all ranks at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda. Family members of fallen war heroes from No. 7 Squadron and No. 9 Squadron were also present, highlighting the event's significance in honoring their contributions and legacy.
The ceremony commenced with a formal procession, during which the sacred Karaduwa (reliquary) was escorted to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron hangar. The reliquary was respectfully placed in the decorated Pirith Mandapaya by the Commanding Officer of the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, Group Captain Kanchana Liyanarachchi.
The event saw the participation of officers and other rank personnel, led by Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.
The chanting of Pirith continued throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual enrichment. An almsgiving ceremony followed on 22 November 2024, attended by personnel from all ranks at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda. Family members of fallen war heroes from No. 7 Squadron and No. 9 Squadron were also present, highlighting the event's significance in honoring their contributions and legacy.
Additionally, religious observances for fallen war heroes of other faiths were conducted in the days leading up to the Pirith chanting. Islamic and Catholic religious services were held on 18 November 2024 and 21 November 2024 at the Jumma Masjid Mosque and Christ King Church in Hingurakgoda, respectively.
