President opens Buddha Mandiraya in Ratmalana

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The newly built Buddha Mandiraya in Kothalawalapura Samadhi Buddhist Centre, Ratmalana was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The Buddha Mandiraya built on the instructions of the Chief Sanghanayake of the Hinidumapaththuwe Galu Korale and Samadhi Buddhist Centre Chief Incumbent Mapalagama Budasiri Nayake Thera, was opened to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. The President also launched a web site.

The construction of this Buddha Mandira was the brain child of President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he was the Opposition Leader.

Samadhi Buddha Mandiraya in Ratmalana Kothalawalapura was constructed with donations of local and foreign devotees.

Nayake Theras also participated in this opening ceremony.

Ministers Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Senior Minister A H M Fowzie and a number of politicians participated. An alms giving to 100 members of the Maha Sangha was also held.