President participates in religious functions at Somawathiya temple,
Agbopura Rajamaha Viharaya
President engages in conversation with devotees:
Rasika Somarathna
President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in religious functions at
the ancient Somawathiya temple in Polonnaruwa and Agbopura Rajamaha
Viharaya in Kantale Saturday. President Rajapaksa who first visited the
Agbopura Rajamaha Viharaya, opened the new shrine room of the temple.
After taking part in religious ceremonies, he offered alms to the Maha
Sangha.
The President also engaged in conversation with the devotees.
Buddhist Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.D.S. Gunewardene on the
President’s guidance made arrangements for a meeting of Trincomalee
district religious leaders belonging to all faiths at the same site
Sunday.
The meeting which took place yesterday was organized to propagate
religious harmony and create a disciplined and morally rich society.
President Rajapaksa later visited the ancient Somawathiya sacred temple
site which was affected by recent floods.
After taking part in religious functions, the President also took
time off to have a friendly chat with the devotees.
The Somawathiya Chethiya is located by the bank of the River Mahaveli
within the Somawathiya strict natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary.
During the reign of LTTE terror, the nearby villages were affected
due to terrorist atrocities.
Minister Maithripala Sirisena and Deputy Ministers Siripala Gamlath
and Chandrasiri Sooriyarachchi, Roshan Ranasinghe MP and Chief of
President’s staff Gamini Senarath along with several leading Buddhist
Monks accompanied the President. |