Series of religious ceremonies have been organized worldwide throughout this week by the people of Sri Lanka to mark the President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 67th birthday and also the second anniversary relating to his second ascension to the presidency.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa also celebrated this great day with the all-night pirith ceremony yesterday, on 18 November and sanghika dhana (almsgiving) this morning (19) at the President’s Palace, Colombo. This main religious ceremony was held under the patronage of Parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena and Kelaniya University Chancellor Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera. Chief prelate of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Chapter Ven Dr Dauldena Gnanissara Maha Nayaka Thero, Ven Dr Kotugoda Dhammawasa Nayaka Thero, Ven Dr Pallattara Sumanajothi Nayaka and large number of Buddhists monks representing all parts of the country have participated the ceremony.
By Janaka Alahapperuma
Pix by: Chandana Perera