NO. 9 AND NO. 7 HELICOPTER SQUADRONS HONOUR FALLEN HEROES AT SLAF BASE HINGURAKGODA
The annual all-night Pirith Chanting and Almsgiving Ceremony of No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron, SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, was held on 06 and 07 November 2025. The event, jointly organized by the members of No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron and No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, was supported by all sections of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda. The series of religious observances were conducted to commemorate and invoke blessings on the fallen war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the motherland.
The ceremony commenced with a colourful procession, during which the sacred casket (Karanduwa) was escorted to the No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron Hangar. The sacred casket was respectfully placed in the decorated Pirith Mandapaya by the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.
The chanting of Pirith continued throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual enrichment. An Almsgiving Ceremony was held the following morning, on 07 November 2025, with the participation of Officers and Other Rank personnel of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, as well as family members of fallen war heroes from No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron and No. 7 Helicopter Squadron.
In addition, religious observances for fallen war heroes of other faiths were conducted in the days leading up to the Pirith Chanting. Islamic and Catholic religious’ services were held on 01 November 2025 and 10 November 2025 at Jumma Masjith Hathamune Mosque and Christ King Church, Hingurakgoda, respectively, where prayers and blessings were offered in remembrance of the brave fallen war heroes.
The ceremony commenced with a colourful procession, during which the sacred casket (Karanduwa) was escorted to the No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron Hangar. The sacred casket was respectfully placed in the decorated Pirith Mandapaya by the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.
The chanting of Pirith continued throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual enrichment. An Almsgiving Ceremony was held the following morning, on 07 November 2025, with the participation of Officers and Other Rank personnel of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, as well as family members of fallen war heroes from No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron and No. 7 Helicopter Squadron.
In addition, religious observances for fallen war heroes of other faiths were conducted in the days leading up to the Pirith Chanting. Islamic and Catholic religious’ services were held on 01 November 2025 and 10 November 2025 at Jumma Masjith Hathamune Mosque and Christ King Church, Hingurakgoda, respectively, where prayers and blessings were offered in remembrance of the brave fallen war heroes.
