Sri Lanka, Oct. 4 -- The Sri Lanka Army commenced a series of multi-religious blessing ceremonies to mark its 76th Anniversary which falls on October 10. These programmes held countrywide, invoked blessings on the Army, its personnel and the motherland, reflecting the nation's rich religious and cultural traditions.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura, with the participation of Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lasantha Rodrigo on September 26. A procession, carrying flags of all Army establishments, began near the historic Ruwanweli Seya and proceeded to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, where the flags were blessed before the sacred tree.

Hindu religious rites were also conducted at the Sri Kandasamy Kovil, Vavuniya,...