17th February 2022 19:22:05 Hours
HE the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest on Navam Full Moon Poya Day (16) evening placed the sacred relic casket on the tusker of the final Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple before it began to paraded the streets for the 43rd consecutive year.
After preliminary religious rites and invocation of blessings, HE the President, together with Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, First Lady placed the relic casket on the tusker and paid his obeisance before the parade commenced.
Around the same time, General Kamal Gunarathna (Retd), Secretary Defence, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, together with Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President Army Seva Vanitha Unit paid their respect to the sacred relic casket laying flowers and other offerings.
Speaker of the Parliament, Ministers, Navy Commander, spouses and other invitees were associated with the inaugural occasion of the final parade.
Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Viharadhikari, Gangarama Temple under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent, Ven Galaboda Gnanissara Nayake Thero and the Maha Sangha organized this year’s Navam Perahera.
