Defence Ministry organized series of special Poson Poya Day programs commences in Anuradhapura

• Defence Secretary hands over a Hemodialysis Machine to Tambuttegama Base Hospital

A series of religious events scheduled to be held at the Sandahiru Stupa in Anuradhapura commenced today (Jun 21), the Poson Poya Day, to commemorate and invoke blessings on the War heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland and those injured in the war and also for peace to all Sri Lankans.

Events are being conducted under the guidance of Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, with the coordination of the Ministry of Defence and participation of tri forces, police and Civil Security Department personnel.

As a part of the series of events that commenced in the early hours today, the Defence Secretary handed over a Hemodialysis Machine to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the Tambuttegama Base Hospital. The much needed medical equipment sponsored under the "සුවපත් දැයකට වෙර වඩා උර දෙමු" theme of the Sandahiru Stupa Charitable Trust was handed over to the Hospital's Medical Superintendent Dr Prabhath Jayakodi by the Defence Secretary.

The exposition of Deegawapiya Relics unearthed during excavations at the Deegawapiya temple site and the Crest Gem also commenced at Sandahiru Stupa premises this morning. This exposition will provide a large number of devotees that arrive at the sacred city with the opportunity to worship the sacred relics. These sacred relics are placed in the Ransivigeya built in the Buddha Chamber, for public veneration. The exposition will continue till Monday (Jun 24).

Chairperson of the Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chithrani Gunaratne, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Director General CSD Air Vice Marshal Roshan Biyanwila, Security Forces Commander- Wanni, Maj. Gen. Dinesh Nanayakkara, Commander Northwestern Naval Command Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Army Logistics Commander Maj. Gen. Indu Samarakoon, Director General Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Maj. Gen. Ranjith Jayasekara, Ministry of Defence Military Liaison Officer Maj. Gen. Dhammika Welagedara, Chairperson of Army Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Janaki Liyanage, Ministry of Defence Director Media Colonel Nalin Herath, senior tri forces officers and a large number of devotees were present at the occasion.

Devotees are invited to visit the Sandahiru Maha Se Poson Zone and amass merits by involving in religious observances while also enjoying the colourful pandal, lanterns, light decorations, Bakthi Gee performances and Dansals offering free food and refreshments.