‘Angampora’ Martial Art Gains Ground in Kilinochchi Establishing its Own Typical Village
July 30, 2019The Sri Lanka Army lending its legendary know-how and the knack for continued revival of indigenous Sri Lankan Martial Art, ‘Angampora’ which boasts a history of more than 5000 years took one more leap forward on Friday (26) and established Sri Lanka's state-of-the-art ‘Angampora’ village near the Iranamadu tank bund, adjacent to the Security Force Headquarters-Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) precincts during a formal ceremony, consecrated by rites and rituals that had withstood the test of time.
The exceptional hand-to-hand combat forms, incorporated with traditional weaponry such as the Urumi (Ethunu Kaduwa), swords, battle axes, staves, daggers and maces after the inauguration of the first ever ‘Angampora’ village, a form of a tourist attraction by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake would inevitably serve as a regular training centre for all aspirants who could ‘spend a day with the Angampora warriors' and familiarize with their daily training in future, according to Major General Vinjitha Ravipriya, Commander, Security Forces- Kilinochchi (SF-KLN).
Sri Lanka Army by establishing the country’s first ever Angampora Experiment Institute and Training Centre (AEITC) at Panagoda Army Cantonment with state patronage on 4th December 2018 added a new chapter to the field of Army sports during an induction (Kala Eli Mangallaya) display of Army ‘Angampora’ players before a gathering, headed by Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army.
Afterwards, the selfless contribution of Major General (Retd) Niyshshanka Ranawana, former Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi and Director General General Staff, took the cue as the second phase of the project and selected Kilinochchi as the ideal venue for establishment of the typical 'Angampora' village, supplemented with Veda Gedara (Ancient Medical Unit), Yoga Arana, Kadawara Thorana, Sanhindha and Uragawala where two fighters challenge each other's strength and fight for supremacy.
The day's Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake witnessed one such mock 'Urgawala' tussle on the occasion after he unveiled the plaque in connection with the inauguration of the village. The ceremony reverberated with the singing of the 'Rawana Thaandava' (hymn of praise) by Angampora presenters after the day's Chief Guest walked to the village in the company of Puravidya Chakrawarthi Wimalasara Thero, Major General Ravipriya and senior Officers.
Major General Vijitha Ravipriya introduced the 'Angampora' Guru Ritigala Parapuree Devinda Laksiri and he in turn briefed the history of the martial art to the invitees. A few minutes later, the day's distinguished guests enjoyed a mammoth display of 'Angampora' skills in a demonstration after they met the indigenous medical practitioner inside the 'Veda Gedara' as a traditional ritual.
The visiting Commander of the Army was welcomed by Major General Vijitha Ravipriya, Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi on arrival at the SFHQ-KLN and he was honoured in a formal Guard Turn Out and a Parade as formalities before he joined the day's ceremony.
‘Angampora’ a martial art that dates back to the times of Sri Lankan royalties has been locally used as a particular self-defensive fighting technique, endowed with different characteristics, such as astrology, meditation, medical methods, sorcery, illusory tricks, etc and was practised exclusively by our royalties to resist foreign invaders who also during colonial times prohibited the practice of this ‘Angampora’ in the country since they feared its operational aspect.
District Secretary for Kilinochchi, Mr Suntharam Arumainayaham, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana (Retd), General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers, Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and other invitees attended the event.
Courtesy: army.lk
