The Association organised several pinkamas throughout last year as part of its activities to inculcate Buddhist values among the Police Force and foster police-public relations, said the Senior DIG after the arms giving ceremony on Saturday.
Twenty ‘Muthu Kudas’ were donated to Bhikkus representing 20 temples apart from ‘ata pirikara’, at the event.
Foremost among them were a sil campaign on Vesak Poya day at Police Headquarters, pinkama to mark the “Negenahira Navodaya” at Sambodhi Viharaya, pinkama to invoke blessings on the country, people and disabled police personnel and transfer merit on departed war heroes.
The sil campaign held at the Police headquarters on Vesak Poya was unique because nearly 500 police personnel including IGP Victor Perera and the Buddhist Association President joined devotees observing sil administered by Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma, Chief Sanghanayake thera.
The Buddhist Association also conducted a blood donation campaign at Field Force Headquarters. Over 500 police personnel participated. Gift parcels were distributed to 125 inmates at the Police Hospital and 25 critically ill police personnel warded at the Colombo National Hospital.
To mark the New Year, the Police Buddhist Association held a dhammanusasana delivered by Ven. Dr. Kollupitiye Sangharakkitha Thera at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya followed by a seth pirith chanting and presentation of wall clocks and parcels containing fruits among families of 25 war heroes in Western Province North.
The pirith pinkama was held at the Police Headquarters during the new year under the patronage of the Maha sangha led by Ven. Panditha Nikula Pannasara Thera. Over 600 police personnel participated at this ceremony. The Chief Guests were Defence Ministry Advisor, former Senior DIG H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya and Mrs. Kotakadeniya.
Buddhist Association President DIG Wickremaratne thanking all persons said, the Sri Lanka Police Buddhist Association would wish the people of Sri Lanka a happy New Year.