Everyone has a right to protest in a democratic country – President in India

In a democratic country like India, everybody has a right to protest, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said visiting the Lord Venkateswara shrine in Tirumala in the Andhra Pradesh, India on Saturday. President Rajapaksa offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara shrine on Saturday. The President on a two-day visit to the holy shrine, participated in the Suprabhata seva – a pre-dawn ritual performed in the early hours.

Even though he is entitled to the Mahadwaram entry, he rather preferred reaching the temple complex through the Vaikuntam queue complex like any other commoner, Indian media reported. “Why don’t you come to Sri Lanka for a first hand assessment and see for yourself what the truth is,” he told the media.

Earlier as is the practise, the temple priests honoured him with the silk vastram of the presiding deity while the TTDs Joint Executive Officer K S Srinivasa raju presented him with the laddu prasadam and memento of the presiding deity.

Andra Pradesh Police authorities had made unprecedented security arrangements for the President’s visit.

President Rajapaksa returned to the country on Saturday evening.

Courtesy: priu.gov.lk