|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 14 June 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Ananda Kannangara in Ambalangoda Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday extolled the invaluable service rendered by Most Venerable Kosgoda Jinalankara Mahanayake Thera to the Buddha Sasana and said that the country is proud of the Thera being conferred the title Aggamaha Panditha by the Government of Myanmar. He was delivering the keynote address at a ceremony held at Sangaraja Maha Viharaya, Randombe in Ambalangoda to coincide with the presentation of the Act of Appointment titled Aggamaha Panditha to Most Ven. Kosgoda Jinalankara Mahanayaka Thera. The Premier said the Venerable Thera not only rendered a great service to propagate Buddhism in Sri Lanka but also in other countries such as Vietnam, India and Nepal. "The Ven Thera made a great sacrifice to spread Buddhism for nearly seven decades", he said. Wickremesinghe said that his service was clearly understood by the Myanmar Government and conferred him with this highest title which a Buddhist monk ever received in his lifetime. The Prime Minister told the audience that he was happy to attend a great religious ceremony for the first time after his historic visit to Japan. Making an anusasana, Ven. Kosgoda Subothi Thera admired the visit to Japan made by the Prime Minister and thanked the Premier for attending the ceremony despite his busy schedule. The Act of Appointment (Akthapathra) was presented to the Ven. Kosgoda Jinalankara Thera by the Prime Minister. The Viginipatha was presented by the Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickramaratne. Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickramaratne highlighted the religious service rendered by the Ven. Jinalankara Thera. "We are now talking about the globalisation and the world has greatly changed due to this globalization". "Whatever changes come due to this globalisation, Buddhism will never change but prosper," he said. Making an anusasana Ven. Ahungalle Wimalananditissa Thera said that the Government of Mynamar has conferred this title Aggamaha Panditha only to Sri Lankan Buddhist monks considering the valuable service rendered by them to propagate Buddha Sasana. Ministers Vajira Abeywardane, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Galle District MPs Gayantha Karunatilake, Jayantha Jayaweera and Ajitha de Zoysa were also present on the occasion. The Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar U. Than Tun represented the Government of Myanmar on the occasion. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
