‘President gave fearless leadership to Sri Lankans’
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only leader who gave fearless
leadership to Sri Lankans in erasing the black mark which stained the
country’s image for three decades, said Ven Dr Bellanwila Dhammaratana
Sanghanayake Thera, Director Singapore Buddhist Centre and Founder
Singapore Buddhist Library.
“People are today able to proudly call themselves Sri Lankans due to
the great service rendered by him,” he said.
Ven Dhammaratana Thera said so delivering an anusasana when a group
of Sri Lankan Bikkhus engaged in Dhammaduta activities in Singapore
called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Singapore yesterday morning to
invoke blessings on him.
The prelate said even though they are away from the motherland they
regretted the utterances made and the unruly behaviour resorted to by
certain sections of the people in Sri Lanka in the face of the world
economic crisis. People should not act in a short sighted manner to seek
petty ulterior motives as the escalation of prices of oil and other
consumer items were beyond any ones control.
The Ven Dhammaratana recalled that they had to encounter serious
problems and obstacles during their dhammaduta activities during the
past 40 years due to the negative international image on Sri Lanka.
“After assuming duties in 2005 President Mahinda Rajapaksa has defeated
terrorism and steered the country on a correct path and it was the duty
of all to support him in his endeavour to usher in development and
progress for his people. He also noted that steps should be taken to
forge links with Bhikkhus in Temples in the Northern parts of the
country”,the thera said .
Chief Patron Thisarana Bauddha Madyasthanaya and Head of the
Institute of Buddhist and Pali Studies Ven Dr Pategama Gnanarama Thera
presented a special memento to President Rajapaksa on behalf of the Maha
Sangha engaged in Dhammaduta activities in Singapore. Singapore
Meditation Centre Director Ven Weragoda Sarada Thera presented an
illustrated copy of the book ‘Buddha Charithaya’ to President Rajapaksa.
The Maha Sangha thereafter chanted seth pirith and involved blessings
on the President.First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, External Affairs
Minister Prof G L Peiris, Parliamentarian Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and
Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge were also present on the
occasion. |