Outgoing Diyawadana Nilame hand over keys
 

by Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

The historical Kandy Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame, Neranjan Wijeratne, whose term of office endued yesterday, handed over the Maligawa bunch of keys to the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Maha Nayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, in charge of the "Thevava" and left the sacred premises at 7.45 p.m. yesterday.

The Maha Sangha chanted "Seth Pirith" to bless the out going Diyawadana Nilame. He also handed over the Keys of his office, the new shrine room and the museum to the Asgiriya Maha Nayaka Thera.

The Diyawadana Nilame paid obeisance to the sacred tooth relic before leaving and thanked the Venerable Maha Nayake Theras of the two chapters and the rest of the Maha Sangha who cooperated with him to discharge his duties over a period of two decades successfully. His thanks included to those of his staff and the many individuals and organisations who contributed immensly to restore the Sri Dalada Maligawa following the bomb attack by the LTTE.