31st August 2023 12:43:06 Hours
The island-wide mobile exposition of the omniscient relics and the ‘Chudamanikya’ (crystal pinnacle) for the completely-renovated and restored ‘Deegawapiya’ Pagoda in the East marked its inauguration at Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya on Tuesday (29 Aug) afternoon.
Hon Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister of Defence together with General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera RSP USP ndu psc, Commander of the Navy and Director General of Civil Security Department attended the occasion as distinguished invitees.
Commencing the day’s proceedings at Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, a colourful procession, carrying the ‘Ransivigeya’ with relics began its journey towards the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya compound starting from the Kelaniya Police Station premises. Soon after its arrival, a brief introductory remarks about the significance of the event and the renovation of the sacred Deegawapiya Pagoda were aired before the gathering of devotees and invitees by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
Next were the religious observances, ‘Pirith’ chanting and offer of ‘Gilanpasa’ to the relics, bound for deposit in the pagoda in a couple of days.
Afterwards, the day’s chief guest inaugurated the exposition of the sacred omniscient relics and the ‘Chudamanikya’ to the public. Subsequently, invitees and devotees made offerings to those sacred relics and the ‘Chudamanikya’ that would be placed atop the ‘Deegawapiya’ Pagoda after a few days.
The restoration and renovation of the ancient ‘Deegawapiya’ Pagoda has been carried out to-date by troops of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Policemen and Civil Security Department personnel following directions given by the Ministry of Defence and respective authorities.
