Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics Exposition:

Highest number of devotees in Gampola

Priyanka KURUGALA

The largest number of devotees to pay homage to the Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics since they were brought to Sri Lanka were seen in Gampola, as a long queue formed outside the Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple where the Relics are kept since making their journey from Kantale Agrabodhi Viharaya on Tuesday.

The Sacred Relics arrived at Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple from Kantale Agrabodhi Viharaya yesterday morning, Presidential Co-ordinator on Religious Affairs Ven Getamanne Gunananda Thera said.

The Sacred Relics were brought by helicopter to the Vigulawatta Public Stadium. Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa handed over the casket containing the Sacred Relics to Prime Minister's Private Secretary Anuradha Jayaratne. The Sacred Relics were taken in procession to Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple, Gampola. Religious rites were performed by Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter and Most Ven Niyangoda Vigithasiri Thera of the Malwatte Chapter.

Prime Minister's wife Anula Yapa Jayaratne, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Parliamentarians Roshan Gunathilake and Erik Prasanna Weerawardana, Provincial Council member Nissanka Herath, Gampola Mayor Sarath Hettiarachchi, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary M K B Dissanayake also participated.