President should continue quest to protect country, say Chief
Prelates
Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa
KANDY: The Malwatte and Asgiriya Prelates yesterday commended
the manner in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa is steering the ship of
State when he called on them at their Viharayas and received their
blessings.
The President first visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy around
5.30 a.m. and paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic before calling on
the prelates.
Thereafter he called on the most Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha
Sumangala Mahanayake Thera at the Malwatte viharaya and discussed the
current situation in the country for nearly one hour. The Ven.
Mahanayake Thera advised the President to continue his programme to
protect the country and usher in peace, undaunted by the adverse
propaganda perpetrated by certain elements.
Thereafter, he called on the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita
Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya chapter at the Asgiriya Viharaya and
briefed him on the current situation in the country. Most.Ven. Galagama
Aththadassi Anunayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter was also present.
The discussion also focused on the liberation o the Eastern Province and
the resettlement of displaced civilians in their original homes.
After taking his breakfast at the Asgiriya temple dana salawa the
President later called on Getambe Rajopavanaramadhipati Ven.
Keppitiyagoda Siriwimala Thera at the Getambe temple and received his
blessings.
During the discussion which followed, Ven. Siriwimala Thera too
commended the present policies adopted by the Government.
Ven. Siriwimala Thera who lamented the failure of past Governments to
provide a proper solution to the national problem, said, President
Rajapaksa's name would go down in history in letters of gold if he found
a lasting solution to this problem.
President Rajapaksa said he was doing his best to usher in peace by
finding a lasting solution to the national problem. He said various
statements inimical to the country's interests made by the opposition
leader during his foreign tours was obstructing his efforts to usher in
peace.
The Ven. Thera also pointed out that there was a shortage of piriven
teachers in the area and the President instructed officials to take
remedial action without delay. He also had a discussion with devotees
and residents of the area at the temple and inquired into their
problems.
Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Central Province Chief
Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela
Bandara accompanied the President during the visit. |