Three-day tour of RCPTA – 15th ,16th ,17th September 2023
Bandula Gunatillake, Sarath Karunaratne, G.W.N. Somasiri and H.M.Dayaratne went on their usual pilot trip whenever a three day tour is planned. Ocean Front Condos apartment complex in Nilaveli was selected on the recommendation of Commodore Prasanna Alahakoon for the group to stay for three days.
President RCPTA Mr. M. Dharmadasa, Bandula, Somasiri, Ranjith Senanayake, Ramya Dharmawardana, Kanthi Abeyakoon, Nirmala and Sugath got together to discuss the arrangements to finalize the arrangements for the tour.
The group left the Royal College Gates on 15th September at 5.00am in two buses hired from Pabasara Tours. After breakfast in Ambepussa, the group proceeded to Dambulla where an old Royalist “Jaba” treated the group with mid-morning refreshments. The group had their lunch at the Lake View Rrest which is an Army restaurant in Kanthale. Somewhere close to this the group was able to visit the “Mavil Aru” sluice gate which was the focal point of the ongoing war at that time.
The group then had the opportunity to worship the Seruwila Chaithiya. The day ended when the group arrived at the resting place of the night, the Ocean Front Condos Apartment Complex. After dinner everyone retired to their aparments.
On the second day after breakfast at the Navy Camp in Nilaveli the whole group was taken to the Pigeon Island in Navy motor boats. As the name suggests there wasn’t a single Pigeon on it but the group enjoyed the coral reefs within the lovely blue sea. The Navy personnel were very helpful, by letting us wear life jackets in the water to investigate the corals. Captain Viraj Dampalla and Lieutenant commander Nipuna provided us a sumptuous lunch at the navy camp.
In the evening we visited the Konneswaran Kovil in Trincomalee. After worshipping at the Kovil we were welcomed by Rear Admiral Suresh Silva at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee. There was music provided by the Navy to the enjoyment of the group accompanied by dinner.
After a well-earned rest at the Condos, the next day after breakfast a visit was arranged to the Girihadusaya in Thiriyaya. We were grateful to the Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Rear Admiral Suresh Silva, Brigadier Kapila Dolage for providing a trouble free three day outing which our members will reminisce for a long time.
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