Ruhuna gripped by Relics’ fervour

Priyanka Kurugala and W P Dharmasena, Matara group corr.

The Sacred Kapilavastu Relics were brought to Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya, Matara from Wariyapola Sumangala Pirivena for the seventh exposition yesterday morning. The Relics will be kept at Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya until September 5. Thousands of devotees lined up in long queues for hours to worship the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics.

The Sacred Relics were received by Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and handed over to Presidential Religious Affairs Coordinator Ven Getamanne Gunanada Thera at the Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium. A seven kilometre queue leading to Rahula Vidyalaya, Matara and another four kilometre queue stretching to Walgama junction on the Galle Road and across and a further one kilometre long queue to Meerapara had formed by the time the Relics arrived in Matara.

The entire Matara town was decorated with Buddhist flags while a large number of dansal had been set up to cater to the massive gathering of pilgrims. Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Parliamentarian Sanath Jayasuriya and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga also participated in the event.