PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA was honoured by Most Venerable Mahanayakas of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters conferring the honorary title “VISHVA KEERTHI SRI THRI SINHALADHEESHWARA” (The highest-ever honorary title in the Buddhist tradition) this afternoon at the historic Kandy “Magul Maduwa” (Royal Auditorium) in a magnificent royal ceremony.
Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatilake, Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne and Director General Civil Defence Force Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara were also awarded “Sannas Pathra” (Parchments) plus special merit awards by Mahanayakas on the same occasion as a token of admiration and appreciation of their roles in victory over terrorism.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa before the commencement of the ceremony paid their respect to Sri Dalada Maligawa and met both Malwatta Mahanayaka Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero and Asgiriya Mahanayaka Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thero at their monasteries.
Today’s ceremony at the “Magul Maduwa” reminisces the age-old royal tradition that had been practiced during reigns of royal dignitaries.
After a brief welcome speech conducted by the Chieftain (Diyawdana Nilame) at Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, one of the leading committee members of the Karaka Sangha Sabha Ven. Pahamune Gunananda Thero read out the unanimous decision of the Ubhaya Vihara Chapters as the proclamation to the people of Sri Lanka.
Afterwards, the Registrar Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadasi Thero read out the conferment.
Later on, the scroll containing the parchment was ceremoniously handed over to the President Mahinda Rajapksa by most Venerable Maha Nayakas.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
  |
