President first Head of State at Aluth Sahal Mangalle

Chaminda Perera and Nimal Wijesinghe, Anuradhapura group corr

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the first Head of State to participate in the National Aluth Sahal Mangalle at the sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi premises yesterday. Hundreds of farmers representing all parts of the country offered the first portion of their harvest to the Sacred Jaya Siri Mahabodhi amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha led by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera.

The farmers carrying bowls of their harvest came to the Sacred Bodhiya premises in an annual ritual which has been carried out by Lankan farmers for centuries in honour of the Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhiya.

Later, President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered a portion of the first harvest to the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhiya amidst chanting of seth pirith by members of the Maha Sangha.

Delivering an Anusasana, Chief Incumbent of Swarnamali Maha Seya Ven Pallegama Hemerathana Thera said the presence of the President at the ceremony symbolises the government’s commitment for farmers’ welfare.

The thera said the government has given special priority to farmers who provide rice to the country. Ven Hemarathana Thera said the government has provided a host of assistance including the fertiliser subsidy to farmers.

The thera stressed the importance of promoting organic farming in the country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented a container of an indigenous rice variety to the Maha Sangha on this occasion.

A booklet on Aluth Sahal Mangalyaa published by the Agrarian Services Department was also presented to the President by Deputy Economic Development Minister and Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena.

Veddha Chieftain Vannila Aththo presented bees honey to the Maha Sangha. President Rajapaksa also presented indigenous seed paddy varieties to the farmers representing all provinces in the country to promote indigenous paddy varieties.

North Central Province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane and Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith were also present.