Lake House Mihintale Aloka pooja:

Over two million in A’pura for Poson

Nimal Wijesinghe - Anuradhapura Additional District group corr.

Over two million devotees who flocked to Anuradhapura sans checkpoints and road barriers bear witness to freedom the country enjoys, Anuradhapura Government Agent H. M. K. Herath said.

After 30 years of violence, President Mahinda Rajapaksa supported by warheroes has been able to establish peace and non-violence which is vital for the development process, he said. He was speaking after switching on the third and the final day of the Mihintale Aloka Pooja organized and sponsored by Lake House for the 48th year with the participation of Ceylon Electricity Board and Abans. Ven. Namalwewa Rathanasara Nayaka Thera performed the religious observances. The Government Agent said President Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura a day prior to Poson and inspected personally facilities being arranged for the devotees.

He was instrumental in releasing allocations to make the religious event a success.

He said over 100,000 vehicles arrived in Anuradhapura with nearly 2.5 million devotees from all over the country from June 24 to 26, reported concerning the devotees the Government Agent commented.

Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Pandith Walwahengunawewa Dhammarathana Nayake Thera in his anusasana said the Mihintala Maha Seya required a new Chandamanikkaya as the present one was damaged by the recent thunderbolt. The prelate appealed to the Buddhist and non-Buddhists to help preserved the Mihintale sacred city without leaving it only to the Government. Lake House Director Editorial Seelaratne Senarath made the welcome speech.