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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

09th January 2016 20:41:39 Hours

Commander Makes Offerings to Sacred ‘Dalada Maligawa’ & Visits Prelates in Kandy

Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army paid his first visit to the sacred city of Kandy upon the dawn of the New Year-2016  on Saturday (9) and made offerings to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth) with the intention of invoking blessings on the organization before he had an audience with Most Ven. Thibottuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera, Chief Prelate of Malwatte Chapter and Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Maha Nayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter who are venerated as custodians of the sacred temple and Most Ven. Napane Premasiri Maha Nayake Thera of Sri Ramanngna Nikaya,  all three considered as the supreme authority of the community of Maha Sangha in Sri Lanka.

Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva upon arrival at the Sri Dalada Maligawa precincts was received by a senior official at the administrative office of the temple and ushered him to the inner chamber as reverberating beating of drums has already commenced for the morning rituals (Thewawa). The Commander offered a tray of jasmine, Pirikara and paid homage to the relics, together with a few senior officers including Major General Nandana Senadheera, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division.

Afterwards, the Commander called at Hirikaduwe Vidyasagara Pirivena and paid his obeisance to the Most Ven. Napane Premasiri Maha Nayake Thera of Ramanngna Maha Nikaya where he offered a special memento and Atapirikara to the prelate and exchanged a few words with him. The next stop for the Commander was the Asgiriya Maha Vihara temple at Asgiriya where the Maha Nayake of Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi resides. The prelate blessed the Commander and the Army and wished all the success in the New Year. A special memento also was presented to the monk before his exit.

Next, the Commander paid his obeisance to the Most Ven. Thibottuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera, Chief Prelate of Malwatte Chapter at his monastery in the heart of the city where the Commander received blessings and explained him the series of projects that have been put into effect by the Army for the benefit of the country and all ranks. Most Ven. prelate invoked blessings on the Army and its onward march and wished the Army would continue to perform its noble role of protecting the country in the future too. A special memento also was offered to the monk as a token of memory of his visit to the monastery.

Before his departure, the Commander also gave an assurance that he would do everything possible for the welfare of all disable War Heroes and family members of fallen ones.