President felicitates Ven. Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message of felicitation to mark the 98th birthday of the Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera, the Maha Nayaka of the Ramanna Nikaya, yesterday, stated that the Most Venerable Thera is a living symbol of the Buddha's advice to Bhikkus to go forth for the welfare of the many beings, both human and divine.

The President said: "Venerable Panditha Weweldeniye Medhalankara Maha Nayaka Thera, by virtue of his living as a member of the Buddhist clergy, meticulously observed the discipline of Uprightness in the discharge of his obligations towards mankind, and manifested in reality the Buddha's teachings.

The Mahanayaka Thera's innate traits of uprightness, virtuousness, charisma, sincerity, flexibility and tolerance helped him to become the 12th Maha Nayaka of the Ramanna Nikaya and the supreme Head of about 2500 Buddhist places of worship which are the abode to approximately 8,000 Buddhist monks.I convey my sincere thanks to the Maha Nayaka Thera for his valuable advice and guidance rendered to me in my efforts to restore morality in the country.

I wish the Maha Nayaka Thera the mental and physical stability, courage and long life with the blessings of the Triple Gem and the guardian deities on this occasion.