Conferring title of Maha Nayaka Thero is a great blessing to build good human society: President

The conferring of the title of the new Maha Nayaka Thero of Asgiri Chapter is a great blessing for the program initiated by the government to build a good human society by protecting the honor of the motherland,  President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

He was speaking at the state ceremony to offer the Sannas Pathra to the newly appointed Maha Nayaka Most Venerable Varakagoda Sri Gnanasara Thero and the Anu Nayaka Ven Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero, held at the premises of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The President offered Sri Sannas Pathra to the new Maha Nayaka Thero and the Anu Nayaka Thero at this state ceremony, held according to the ancient rituals and Maha Vihara traditions.

Speaking further, the President said the Theravada Buddhism is the only solution to heal the society which has been declined due to the influence of the commercial world.

He also pointed out that the mission of the Maha Sanaga which has been carrying out from 700 years long history for the national security, is closed not only to the hearts of us but also to the entire Buddhist world.

President Sirisena also worshipped the sacred tooth relic after the ceremony.

The Maha Sanga from the three Nikayas, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Diyawadana Nilame (the Custodian of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) and the devotees participated in this occasion.