Pirith, Dana in UK to bless President

Fifteen members of the Maha Sangha from several Buddhist Viharas in the United Kingdom gathered to invoke blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a Pirith chanting and Sanghika Dana organised by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

London Buddhist Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero, Kingsbury Buddhist Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven Galayaye Piyadassi Nayaka Thero, Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven Dr Vitharandeniya Kassapa Nayake Thero and Maha Sangha from London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswick; Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre, Kingsbury; Birmingham Maha Vihara in Birmingham; Thames Buddhist Vihara in London; Eastham Temple, London; Edmonton Temple, London; Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya, Letchworth; Ilford Temple, London; and Heathrow Athula Dassana Temple, London also participated in the Pirith chanting and Sanghika Dana on November 17 and 18. Over 150 members of the Sri Lankan community of different faiths gathered at the High Commission to join in wishing President Rajapaksa on his 67th birthday and the beginning of the third year of his second term as President.

High Commissioner Dr Chris Nonis said the annual Pirith chanting was to bless President Rajapaksa who had brought freedom and peace to the country by ending a three decade conflict and defeating terrorism.

He had created the climate whereby all communities could live as free people.

Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero of the London Buddhist Vihara explained the significance of the Pirith chanting and the merit it brings to people and to communities and this special chanting is to bless President Rajapaksa.

The Pirith chanting ceremony on Saturday was followed by a Sanghika Dana on Sunday morning, President Rajapaksa's birthday.