New Basnayake Nilame Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devale

KATARAGAMA: Shashinda Kumara Rajapakse, President Mahinda Rajapakse's Private Secretary has been elected uncontested as the New Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devale.

The election for the post of the Basnayake Nilame was scheduled for yesterday.

Buddhist Affairs Commissioner and Moneragala District Secretary were to conduct the election. But as no contenders for the post came forward, Shashinda Kumara Rajapakse was announced as the new Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devale.

The post of the Basnayake Nilame at the Kataragama Devale fell vacant with the resignation of Thilanga Dela Bandara with his election to the Diyawadana Nilame at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Lalith Gamage was appointed temporarily by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs until a new Basnayake Nilame was elected.

The new Basnayake Nilame is the son of Agriculture Development Minister Chamal Rajapakse, the President's elder brother.

He has been the Basnayake Nilame of the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya from 2004.