Online edition of Daily News

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was to bring in peace between two royal Princes Chulodara and Mahodara who fought over a gem studded throne that the Buddha visited this sacred soil where after appeasing the two hostile brothers, the throne was enshrined to mark peace.

It is in the same manner we must eradicate from our minds the germs of rancour, hatred, greed and animosity and identify the causes of rift and tension and remedy them to usher in the much cherished peace in the country.

The opening ceremony of new Wahalkada Gateway of the Historic Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya was held yesterday. Here, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the chief guest at the ceremony along with Viharadhipathi Ven. Kollupitiye Mahindasangarakkitha being conducted to the main shrine room for the offering of flowers. Minister John Amaratunge, Lawrance Madiwela and Chairman of Nawaloka Group H. K. Dharmadasa are also in the picture. - (Picture by Roland Perera)

The Premier was addressing the gathering at the opening of Western gateway ("Paschima Wahalkada") of the historic Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, constructed from the personal funds of Deshabandu H.K. Dharmadasa.

Ven. Rambukwelle Pannasekera Anunayaka Thera, delivering an Anusasana stated that it was with great delight that he accepted the invitation of Ven.Dr. Kollupitiye Sangharakkhitha Nayaka Thera, the Viharadhipathi of Sri Kalyana Raja Maha Viharaya to attend the opening ceremony and he was immensely pleased to see the historical Raja Mahaviharaya reverting to its pristine glory under the guidance of Viharadhipathi Ven. Dr. Sangharakkhitha Nayaka Thera.

The distinguished invitees led by Premier Wickremesinghe were conducted to the venue in procession and Ven. Abanwelle Pannasekera Nayaka Thera, the Anunayaka of Malwatta Chapter administered "pansil". After paying obeisance by offering flowers at the shrine room, the Premier opened the newly constructed "Wahalkada" and made a token donation of school uniforms to 4000 students.

Deshabandu Dharmadasa, at the instance of State Film Corporation Consultant T.M. Sanghadasa presented mementoes and cash gifts of Rs.10,000 each to 16 elderly artistes. He also donated wheelchairs to a host of disabled children, youth and elders.

Ven. Dr. Kollupitiye Sangharakkhitha Nayaka Thera in his Anusasana thanked the Premier and other distinguished guests for their participation and thanked Deshabandu Dharmadasa for his many invaluable services to the uplift of the sasana and people at large in the country. Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya also spoke.

Ministers W.J.M. Lokubandara, John Amaratunga and Suranimala Rajapakse, Gamini Gunaratne, Lawrence Madiwala, and Peliyagoda UC Chairman Nihal Ananda were also present.

The Western gateway ("Paschima Wahalkada") of the historical Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, constructed by the personal funds of Deshabandu H.K. Dharmadasa, was opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by cutting a ribbon in the presence of the Mahasangha, Ministers and dignitaries and a large number of Buddhist devotees.