President inaugurates work on first cetiya

Commemorating Triumph over terrorism:

Rasika Somarathna and Nimal Wijesinghe in Anuradhapura

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated the construction of the first Adhisthana Cetiya in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, being erected to commemorate the Nation’s triumph over terrorism.

This is the first nine such cetiyas named Hela Jaya Maha Seya which are to be constructed in all nine provinces in the country.

It was announced during the inaugural ceremony that in addition to the nine commemorative Stupas, two Christian churches, two Hindu temples and two mosques would be erected in various parts of the country to signify victory, peace and harmony after a nearly three decade long conflict.

The commemorative stupa in Anuradhapura is to be erected between the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Ruwanmeli Seya, in the premises of the Maha Mewna Uyana.

These Stupas and other religious sites erected in all corners of the island would forever remind people of the day that the country triumphed over the scourge of terrorism, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera during his Anusasana at the ceremony said.

North Central Province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane and Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake also addressed the gathering.

A large number of senior political leaders in the Province and Ministers including, S.M.Chandrasena, Rohana Kumara Dissanayake, Rajitha Senaratne, Pandu Bandaranayake, Dinesh Gunewardena, Tissa Karaliyadda and A.H.M.Fowzie were present.

Former Army Commander and present Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke, Director General of Civil Defence Force Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral TSG Samarasinghe were also present.

A large number of religious dignitaries of all faiths, military leaders, area politicians and the public too were in attendance.