President bestowed with honorary title of ‘Sri Lankadheeshwara Padma Vibhushana’

• Accolade by Mahaviharawanshika Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha  
• Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero wishes President strength to build the country bravely; warns of facing bitter experiences in politics
• Will always ensure to give the blessings, strength and courage of the Maha Sangha to the President says Most Ven. Dr. Ittepane Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero
• People’s aspirations will be fulfilled by overcoming the obstacles encountered on this journey, willing to take tough decisions if needed says President before Maha Sangha    

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been bestowed with the honorary title of ‘Sri Lankadheeshwara Padma Vibhushana’ by the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha invoking the blessings of the Maha Sangha.

The Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha conferred this honorary title on the President during a special religious ceremony organised at the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya on Sunday, symbolising the country’s need for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s leadership, considering the past and present deeds of the President.  

After reading the relevant Sannas Pathraya (scroll), the Mahanayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Most Ven. Dr. Ittepane Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero conferred the honorary title of ‘Sri Lankadheeshwara Padma Vibhushana’ on President Rajapaksa. The welcome address was delivered by the Deputy Registrar of the Sangha Sabha, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka Ven. Prof. Neluwe Sumanawansa Thero.

The Chief Secretary of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Maha Sangha Sabha/ University of Peradeniya Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Aggamahapanditha Most Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero, delivering the main sermon, said that the blessings of the Maha Sangha will be conferred on the President to build and manage the country properly during the remaining three years as there is still more time left. 

“When there is success, there are many people to share it, but when an attempt fails miserably, the blame falls on the leader himself,” Most Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero said. The Thero also said that this was a normal situation, and wished the President strength to build the country in the future bravely, while warning of facing bitter experiences in politics. 

Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Mahanayaka Most Ven. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thero, who conducted the main sermon, said that the awarding of this blessed honorary title would add a great strength and power to the life of the President.

The Thero said that he would always ensure to give the blessings, strength and courage of the Maha Sangha to the President.

The Maha Sangha, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Cabinet Ministers, Governors, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Secretaries to Ministries and Government Officials were also present at the event.