Maha Sangha's blessings for PM

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse, before his departure to tender nomination as a candidate for the Presidential Elections invited the Maha Sangha to Temple Trees yesterday morning and received the blessings of the Triple Gem.

The Maha Sangha led by Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera, comprised Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Ven. Professor Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera, Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Ven. Nedalagamuwe Wijaya Maitri Thera, Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ven. Harisspattuwe Ariyawansalankara Thera, Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera, Ven. Uvatenne Sumana Thera, Ven. Mirisse Dhammawansa Thera and Ven. Kalawelgala Chandraratana Thera were present at Temple Trees.

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera, Viharadhipathi of Naga Viharaya, Kotte in an Anusasana said he was extremely delighted to mark this as an important day in the life of Prime Minister who was a close associate of him.

Rajapakse left his University career to take to politics, going in the footsteps of his father, the late D. A. Rajapakse, a pioneer of the 1956 social revolution and other members of his family like D. M. Rajapakse and George Rajapakse, Ven. Sobhitha Thera said.

He said: "You have won the confidence of the masses as a Member of Parliament, as a Minister, as a Leader of the Opposition and as a Prime Minister.

Your father signed his nomination papers while ploughing the paddy field. You have inherited a proud political history.

On this moment of tendering your nomination as a candidate for the future Presidency, you are receiving the noblest gift as a devout Buddhist. That is the blessings of the Triple Gem. May that be your greatest strength".