President visits Amarapura Mahanayake who turned 100 yesterday

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday wished the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Chapter Rajakeeya Panditha, the Most Ven. Dr. Waligama Gnanarathana Nayake Thera long life after calling on him at the Rathmalana Mallikaramaya to mark the Prelate’s hundredth birthday.

The Prelate has sacrificed 85 years out of his 100 years for the betterment and well being of the Buddha Sasana, Sinhala nation and the country.

The Thera blessed the President to gain the strength and energy to rule the country and serve the people for another long period of time.

The Prelate highly appreciating the President’s arrival on the occasion of his hundredth birthday recalled his blessings for then Prime Minister Rajapaksa to be the President of this country when the latter visited the Thera at his residence.

The Nayaka Thera pointed out how much he was committed to build a righteous society by authoring around 200 books which were mainly oriented to teach Buddha’s teachings and to create a moral based society in the country. He handed over some of the books he authored to President Rajapaksa as an appreciation of his presence.

In line with the Prelate’s birth celebrations, an alms giving ceremony of the Mahasanga was also held.

The President also took part in a the dana pinkama to bless the Mahanayaka Thera. Ministers Dinesh Gunawardana, Bandula Gunawardena and Susil Pramajayanatha were also present.