President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura last morning and paid homage to the Sacred Jaya Sri Mahabodhi seeking blessings for the New Year. The President who was accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and son Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa offered a cheevara and pirikara pooja to the Sacred Bodhi.
The Mahasangha led by Atamasthanadhipati Ven Dr Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera, Mirisavetiya Cetiyaramadhipati Ven Eathawetunuwewa Gnanatilleke Nayake Thera and Lankaramadhipati Ven Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayake Thera chanted sethpirith and invoked blessings on the President and party after tying a pirith noola on the President’s hand.
The President thereafter called on Ruwanweli Cetiyaramadhipati Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Thera and received his blessings after offering atapirikara to the prelate.
The President accompanied by Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena visited the Dansala (Dolosmahe Swarnamali Danveta) organized by the Sinhala Buddhist Foundation and served food to the devotees attending the dansala. NCP Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Parliamentarians Shehan Semasinghe and S P Muthukumarana, Provincial Minister H B Semasinghe and Provincial Council Member S M Ranjith were also present on the occasion
