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| Tuesday, 2 December 2003 |
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by Jayasiri Munasinghe and Chula Bandara Kulasekera in Anuradhapura The five gilded gates erected around the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura to add to the security dignity and the grandeur of this sacred object held in great veneration by Buddhists throughout the world, were ceremonially declared open by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the auspicious time of 11.20 a.m. yesterday.
A multitude of devotees including the Maha Sangha and VIPs gathered at the Maha Mevuna Uyana to witness the meritorious act cried 'Sadhu, Sadhu' while a SLAF helicopter sprinkled Jasmine and Lotus flowers from the air. A mass Sil campaign was also held at the Maha Mevuna Uyana yesterday with the participation of nearly 5,000 Upasakas and Upasikas to coincide with this event. A colourful pandal erected near the Lions Pillar in Anuradhapura welcomed the President and the VIPs who arrived in Anuradhapura to participate in the event. The President who arrived at this spot around 11.15 a.m. was received by Atamasthanadhipati Ven. Pallegama Siriniwasa Chief Sanghanayake Thera, NCP Governor Dr. Jagath Balasuriya and NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake. From there, the President and her entourage were conducted in a colourful procession upto the northern gate of the Maha Mevuna Uyana. The President who unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the five gates later entered the Uda Maluwa and paid homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Colombo and Chilaw Districts and Chancellor Kelaniya University Administered Pansil to the gathering. Ven. Nugetenne Pannananda Nayake Thera Viharadhipati, Jayanthi Viharaya Anuradhapura conducted an Adhistana Pooja. President Kumaratunga addressing the gathering said the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi brought down to Sri Lanka from Buddha Gaya in India in the third century B.C. taught the world, the mobility of the virtue of gratefulness. The President also appealed to all political parties, groups and leaders of all religious organisations to shed petty differences and unite to usher in peace and prosperity in the country. Atamasthanadhipati Ven. Pellegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera delivered an Anusasana. NCP Governor Dr. Jagath Balasuriya delivered the welcome speech while NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake made the address of thanks. Parliamentarians S.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayaka, Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Tissa Karaliyadda, Ms. Soma Kumari Tennakoon, Chamal Rajapakse and Athauda Seneviratne, Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, NCP Chief Secretary G.A.M. Karunaratne and Anuradhapura GA U.D. Yapa were also present. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises and its vicinity including all approach roads were gaily decorated with Buddhist flags and bunting to suit the occasion. |
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