In a continued tradition of support, Army Commander Lt. General Vikum Liyanage extended a generous donation to the Sri Dalada Maligawa during the vibrant Esala Perahera festival in Kandy. On the 11th of August, Lt. General Vikum Liyanage symbolically handed over a substantial offering of copra, weighing over 15,000 kg, to Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the esteemed Diyawadana Nilame.
For nearly a decade, the Sri Lankan Army has played a pivotal role in ensuring the brilliance of the Perahera festival, an event deeply rooted in cultural significance. Since 2014, the Army has annually contributed the copra required to illuminate the traditional streets during the magnificent procession. The copra, meticulously prepared at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment situated in Boyagane, Kurunegala, has become an essential component of the festival’s splendor.
Following the copra presentation, Lt. General Vikum Liyanage and his entourage paid their respects at the revered Dalada Maligawa, seeking blessings for the nation. A gesture of mutual appreciation ensued, as Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the Diyawadana Nilame, presented a commemorative gift to the Army Commander in recognition of the unwavering decade-long commitment to this noble cause.
Notable attendees included Kandy District Secretary Chandana Tennakoon, who joined in commemorating this enduring partnership between the Sri Lankan Army and the sacred Esala Perahera festival. As the tradition continues, the annual contribution of copra by the Army remains a luminous example of the harmonious blending of culture and service.
