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Defence Ministry's Annual 'Pirith' Chanting at BMICH Premises Held for 5th Consecutive Year

Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, initiated annual ‘Maha Pirith’ chanting ceremony of the Maha Sangha got underway Wednesday (2) evening at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises with the participation of record 3000 Buddhist monks.

Chanting ceremony that became an annual feature when the country was under the threat of LTTE terrorism several years ago, continues to be held every year after the culmination of the war, too on the directions of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development. This year’s ceremony coincides with the year’s Sri Sambuddathwa Jayanthi commemorative events.    

President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest at the inaugural occasion, together with First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa visited the venue and joined the religious observances.

The ceremony, inaugurated in the year 2008, giving pride of place to the chanting of ‘Jaya Piritha’, as a symbol, meant to invoke blessings on marching victorious troops in defence of the country at that point of time, was the brainchild of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa.  

This overnight chanting commenced after members of the Maha Sangha were conducted to the venue in a colourful procession, amidst a large gathering of devotees. Mr Rajapaksa offering the traditional tray of betel (Dehet Vattiya) to the Maha Sangha, headed by Ven Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero, invited them to invoke blessings on the President, country, War Heroes and people of all ethnicities during the overnight chanting.                    

Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Maha Nayaka Thero of Asgiriya Chapter administered ‘Pansil’ (Five Precepts) at the commencement of the chanting. Both Ven Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero, Anunayaka of Malwatta Chapter and Ven Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero, Chancellor, University of Kelaniya delivered brief ‘Anushasana’ (Orations) and underlined the significance of the event.  

President’s Secretary, Ministers, Governors, Secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-service Commanders, senior service personnel and a large gathering of civilians, including MoD officials attended the ceremony.