President unveils Samadhi Buddha statue at Matale

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Matale

President offers Buddha statue to Viharadhipathi

The newly constructed Samadhi Buddha statue at Matale Vidyananda Pirivena was unveiled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for public veneration. Here President Rajapaksa offers a Buddha statue to Rajarata University Viharadhipathi Senior Lecturer Ven Olaganwatte Chandrasiri Thera. Picture by Sudath Silva

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday unveiled the Samadhi Buddha statue at Sri Vidiyananda Pirivena, Matale to coincide with the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi.

A large crowd who gathered at the venue greeted the President on arrival. The Buddha statue which is 35 feet in height has been constructed at a cost of Rs 10 million.

The President offered a Samadhi Buddha Statue to Sri Vidiyananda Pirivena Chief Incumbent Venerable Olaganwatte Chandrasiri Thera. Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a surprise visit to the Matale District Secretariat and inspected the administrative complex. He was received by District Secretary K.H.A. Meegasmuulla and staff on arrival at the office. He stressed the need of having a more spacious building with more facilities.

The President instructed officials to commence construction for a new building complex for the District Secretariat.

The District Secretary briefed on the programme launched by the District Secretariat under the Divi Neguma programme.

The President also visited Matale parliamentarian Lakshman Wasantha Perera's office and inquired about the development programme being implemented.

He also visited late minister Alick Aluvihare's house in Matale and met his family.