Buddha Sasana will be protected and nurtured :

President reassures religious freedom, harmony

BY L. B. WIJAYASIRI in Kandy

PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapakse assured the nation from the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy yesterday that the Buddha Sasana would be protected and nurtured while ensuring the safety of other religious places of worship and people who practise all other religions without discrimination.

He gave this assurance during a brief address at the traditional reception accorded to him at the Hewisi Mandapaya of the Dalada Maligawa where kings of Kandyan era were blessed.

On arrival at the entrance to the Dalada Maligawa, the President was received by former Posts and Telecommunications Minister D. M. Jayaratne.

At the Maligawa, he was received by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara who handed over a tray of jasmine flowers to him. He was then conducted to the Hewisi Mandapaya.

At the Hewisi Mandapaya, the Maha Sangha headed by the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera and the Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera of the Malwatte Maha Vihara Chapter blessed President Rajapakse, his wife Shiranthi and their sons by chanting Seth Pirith. The Diyawadana Nilame delivered a welcome address.

President Rajapakse said every time he visited Kandy, he visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa, performed Poojas to the Sacred Tooth Relic and called on Most Ven. Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and received their blessings.

In keeping with that practice, he visited the Maligawa on assuming office as the fifth Executive President.

The President said he was glad to see the presence of the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter, Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera and other members of the Maha Sangha to bless him.

When the honourary title of Sri Rohana Janaranjaana, was conferred on him by the Malwatte Maha Vihara Chapter, the late Mahanayake Thera said the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha decided to confer the honourary title on him after looking at his past, present and the future, Rajapakse said. He said he would never forget that statement.

President Rajapakse said as the President he would consult the Maha Sangha and listen to their Anusasanas at all times in his activities.

"I give at this sacred place the assurance that steps would be taken to protect and nurture the Buddha Sasana while protecting the freedom of practising other religions and to ensure the safety of the places of worship of all religions without any discrimination," President Rajapakse said. He said under his rule, people of all racial and religious groups would be treated alike.

He also assured to protect and promote all religions and cultural heritage of the country for future generations.

Having understood that the country's future depended on the younger generation, he would dedicate to create and maintain a disciplined society with values for the children, President Rajapakse said.

After the ceremony at the Hewisi Mandapaya, they were conducted to the inner shrine where they paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ven. Walgowwagoda Wimalabuddhi Nayake Thera, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter also delivered an Anusasana.

After signing the visitors' book at the Dalada Maligawa, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara presented to President Rajapakse a replica of the SWri Dalada Maligawa in memory of the historic occasion. President Rajapakse planted a tree at the Maligawa complex and also hoisted the national flag opposite the Magul Maduwa.

Former Ministers D. M. Jayaratne, Rohitha Bogollagama and MPs Wijedasa Rajapakse, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, M. S. Chandrasena, Chairman, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority Tikiri Kobbekaduwa were also present.

President Rajapakse, his wife and their three sons called on the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter and Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Ratanapala Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter and received their blessings.