'War Heroes helped win war against terror'

Nimal Wijesinghe-Anuradhapura Additional District Group Corr

A series of religious observations were conducted on July 26 and 27 at the Anuradhapura Abimansala which was commissioned on July 27, 2011 in close proximity to the historic Nuwarawewa reservoir to house disabled War Heroes who were seriously injured while fighting to free the country.

The highlights were the opening of a Buddha statue on the evening of the 26th and an all-night pirith chanting ceremony followed by an alms giving for the Maha Sangha. The shrine room was constructed under the patronage of the proprietor of Keerthi Traders of Anuradhapura.

The Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya and his wife offered the first tray of white lotus flowers and gilanpasa to the Buddha statue amidst Seth pirith chanted by the Maha Sangha which included the Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegam Siriniwasa Nayake Thera, the Ruwanweli Chaithiyadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera and other chief incumbents of the eight sacred places of worship.

Pansil was administered by the North and North Central Chief Sanghanayaka and Chief incumbent of the Anuradhapura Jayanthi temple the Ven. Nugetenne Pannananda Nayake Thera.

In his special Anusasanawa the Nayake Thera said that the correct and unshakable leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the dedication of the War Heroes and the tremendous support extended by the country's media greatly helped to save the country from terrorism and establish permanent peace in the country, which the people now do enjoy.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in Anuradhapura immediately after the victory against terrorism to obtain the blessings of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya, explained to us that it was the Triple Gems blessings that he had received earlier that enabled him to bring peace and harmony to the country after 30 years of terrorism.

The President was able to salvage the country by focusing the spiritual advancement he had achieved through the association of the Maha Sangha plus the military strength of the war heroes collectively.

In this context the war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs will be remembered from generation to generation", the prelate said.

The Nayake Thera said further that the present Army Commander is a strong and true Buddhist who respects the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and the Sacred Tooth Relic among other shrines at their highest and also descends from a respectable Buddhist family. He is also a great war hero.

He had successfully handled the creation of the Abimansala on the guidance of the President and the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for the welfare of the disabled war heroes".