Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Mahinda Rajapaksa participating in the Vesak Week activities, paid homage to the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy on Wednesday and received blessings from the Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Maha Nayake Thera.
During the visit to the temple, the President also opened a cobblestone footpath constructed by the National Lottery Board at a cost of Rs. 4 million for the benefit of the temple goers.
As part of the Vesak Week activities, the President also released 11 milk cows that were destined for slaughter. The event held at the President’s House was organised by the Kandy Sri Pushpadana Society.
Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Kandy District MP Lohan Ratwatte, and Secretary of Pushpadana Society Walter Ranasinghe also participated in the occasion.
The Government declared the week from 21 to 27 May as Vesak Week.
President Rajapaksa was also scheduled to take part in a State ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa to mark the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Nikaya Upasampada in Sri Lanka.
The ceremony has been jointly organised by the Buddhasasana Ministry, Buddhist Affairs Department, and the Ministries of Culture and the Arts and External Affairs under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.
Pix by Chandana Perera
