President Pays Homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, Seeks Blessings for the New Year
ColomboWire | Political & Religious Affairs
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (1 January) paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, invoking blessings for the New Year in keeping with long-standing Buddhist and state traditions.
Upon arrival at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the President participated in religious observances conducted in front of the Sacred Relic and engaged in cordial interaction with devotees who had gathered to pay homage on the first day of the New Year.
Following the religious rites, President Dissanayake met with the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and received their blessings.
Thereafter, the President visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, where he called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera. The President inquired into the Prelate’s well-being and engaged in a brief discussion. The Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Royal Pandit and Darshanapathi Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Nayaka Thera, was also present on the occasion.
During the visit, the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and bestowed blessings upon the President, invoking strength, wisdom, and clarity in leadership for the year ahead. The President also met the Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, the Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thera, and exchanged greetings.
Subsequently, President Dissanayake visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya and met with the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter. The President engaged in a brief discussion with the Mahanayake Thera, who extended blessings for the New Year and expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to build a more just and prosperous nation for the people.
The Asgiri Mahanayake Thera further conveyed his blessings for the successful implementation of the government’s policy programme under the President’s leadership, urging renewed energy and determination in advancing national development initiatives in the year ahead.
The President also met with the Anunayaka of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Anunayaka Thera, and held a short discussion.
During these meetings, President Dissanayake briefed the Mahanayake Theras and senior members of the Maha Sangha on the government’s response and recovery programme following the most severe natural disaster recorded in the country’s recent history last year. The senior Buddhist prelates extended their blessings for the effective continuation of these measures and for the welfare of the affected communities.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, Member of Parliament Thanura Dissanayake, along with several other officials, were also present at the occasion.