08th March 2022 08:53:34 Hours
Placement of all sacred 28 peripheral Buddha Statues around the 'Salapathalamaluwa' at the Sandahiru Seya stupa premises took place on Saturday (5) evening in Anuradhapura amidst religious blessings of Ven. Maha Sanga during a ceremony held under the patronage of Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (retd).
General Kamal Gunarathna (retd), Secretary Defence, Mrs Chithrani Gunarathna, President, Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Commander of the Navy and Commander of the Air Force who participated in the ceremony also joined the Defence Secretary today in placing the Buddha Statues which were brought to the Stupa premises yesterday in a procession from Na Uyana Aranya Senasana and kept at the Sandahiru Seya premises.
Upon placing the Buddha Statues, Ven. Maha Sanga performed religious performances amidst religious rites and rituals including the Atavisi Buddha Puja and Bodhi Vandana during the occasion.
The Defence Secretary welcoming Venerable Maha Sangha and all invitees delivered the welcome speech of the ceremony.
The day’s programme also included the unveiling of the Buddha Statues placed in the Sandahiru Seya Buddha Shrine adjoining the Stupa auspiciously in the morning hours and vesting them in devotees for veneration.
The religious ceremony presided over by Atamasthana Chief Prelate Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa thero, saw the participation of 300 Buddhist monks, invitees and devotees.
Chief Prelate of Na Uyana Monastery Ven. Angulgamuwe Ariyananda thero conducted Anusasana during the ceremony.
Delivering the Anusasana, Ven. Medagoda Abhayathissa thero enlightened the devotees on the immense contribution of those responsible for bringing peace to the country and the significance of the Sandahiru Stupa and the Buddha Statues placed at the sacred premises.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa a few months back vested the Sandahiru Stupa in Venerable Maha Sanga during a religious ceremony organized in Anuradhapura.
Following the event held in the morning session, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also arrived at the venue to witness the progress.
Ven. Maha Sanga, Government Ministers, Chief of Defence Staff, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Director General of Civil Security Department, state officials and devotees were present during the events held today.
