President at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Nimal Wijesinghe - Anuradhapura Additional District Group correspondent

President Mahinda Raja-paksa visited the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and participated in a special Bodhi Pooja conducted by the Maha Sangha headed by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera with Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanmeliseya temple and Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama temple.

The President was accompanied by Minister S.M. Chandrasena and NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake. Governor of the North Central Province Karunaratne Divulgane was also present.

Before participating in the religious rituals, the President arrived at the Udamaluwa temple to pay a courtesy call on the Venerable Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera, the Atmasthanadhipathi and had discussions with the prelate. President Rajapaksa later offered requisites including a robe to the Sri Maha Bodhi amidst Pirith being chanted by Maha Sangha.

In his anusasana, Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thera said that the President followed the gallant and patriotic kings in South who united the country chasing away the foreign armies. He is now spearheading the forces and the nation to eradicate LTTE terrorism. The Nayaka Thera highly praised and commended the President for his fearless and bold steps to bring in peace and prosperity in the country.

“This 2009 year is a year of great expectations to us, the Maha Sangha and the whole nation. The whole country depends on you to revive the past glory and splendour in Sri Lanka in 2009. We consider you as a hero and a personality similar to a King who loves this country and the people alike. The sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the deities who protect it would definitely bless you in this task vested on you by fate,” Ven. Dhammajothi Nayaka Thera emphasised.