First visit as President to Sri Bodhi Rajaramaya

Chaminda Perera in Thanamalwila

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Sri Bodhi Rajaramaya, Thellulla in the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat yesterday. It was his first visit to the temple after being elected President. President Rajapaksa opened the temple’s Wahalkada and paid homage to the Bo tree.

He also distributed tool kits among students who successfully completed training courses at the vocational training centre affiliated to the temple at a ceremony at the temple yesterday.

Hundreds of students in the area have been receiving training in a number of fields including wood work, Information and Communication Technology and motor mechanism at the vocational training centre set up at the temple premises.

The Sri Bodhiraja Vocational Training Centre started in 1987 commenced formal study courses in 1992 with the help of the World University Service of Canada. This institution conducts over 50 vocational training courses ranging from ICT to engineering.

The temple’s chief incumbent and Vocational Training Centre executive director Ven Modarawane Suddhamma Thera made special mention of the enormous contribution made by the President as the then Vocational Training Minister for the development of skills of the youths.

Tissamaharama Rajamaha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven Devalegama Dhammasena Thera, Ministers Sumedha G Jayasena, Vijith Vijithamuni Soyza and Jagath Puspakumara, Deputy Minister M K D S Gunawardena and Uva Chief Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa were also present.