President pays homage to Jaya Sri Mahabodhi
Gamini Jayasinghe and Kithsiri Wanasinghe
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura yesterday morning
and paid homage to the Sacred Jaya Sri Mahabodhi seeking blessings for
the New Year. The President who was accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi
Rajapaksa and son Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa offered a cheevara and
pirikara pooja to the Sacred Bodhi.
The Mahasangha led by Atamasthanadhipati Ven Dr Pallegama Siriniwasa
Nayake Thera, Mirisavetiya Cetiyaramadhipati Ven Eathawetunuwewa
Gnanatilleke Nayake Thera and Lankaramadhipati Ven Ralapanawe
Dhammajothi Nayake Thera chanted sethpirith and invoked blessings on the
President and party after tying a pirith noola on the President’s hand.
Earlier, President Rajapaksa accompanied by the First Lady and Namal
Rajapaksa called on Atamasthanadhipati Ven Dr Pallegama Siriniwasa
Nayake Thera at his aramaya and received his blessings after making an
offering of atapirikara.
Thereafter the President called on Ruwanweli Cetiyaramadhipati Ven
Pallegama Hemaratana Thera and received his blessings after offering
atapirikara to the prelate.
The President then offered malpahan pooja at Ruwanweliseya. After
offering mal pooja at the statue of king Dutugemunu at the precincts the
President exchanged pleasantries with the crowd of devotees present.
The President accompanied by Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister
S M Chandrasena visited the Dansala (Dolosmahe Swarnamali Danveta)
organized by the Sinhala Buddhist Foundation and served food to the
devotees attending the dansala. NCP Governor Karunaratne Divulgane,
Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Parliamentarians Shehan
Semasinghe and S P Muthukumarana, Provincial Minister H B Semasinghe and
Provincial Council Member S M Ranjith were also present on the occasion. |