Venerable Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the historic Lankarama Viharaya, Anuradhapura commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his commendable efforts in preserving the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the historic Maha Vihara premises.
He made this statement during a special sermon ‘Maha Sanghagatha Dakshinawa’ held today (17) in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Sannipatha Hall at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Premises in Anuradhapura.
The Chief Incumbent of Lankarama Vihara, Venerable Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thero, stated that activities initiated with the blessings of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi are destined to succeed.
Venerable Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thero further stated:
In 2001, during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure as Prime Minister, he visited the Sri Maha Bodhi to pay his respects. At that time, the Maha Sangha requested the construction of a second golden fence to replace the existing white iron fence. President Wickremesinghe responded positively to this request and appointed President’s Counsel K.H.J. Wijedasa to oversee the project.
Subsequently, discussions were held with the Maha Sangha regarding the second golden fence for the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Following President Wickremesinghe’s guidance, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Development Fund was established in 2002. A preliminary meeting was organized at Temple Trees, where various philanthropists were invited to contribute. During this event, over LKR 10 million was raised for the fund within a few hours.
In 2003, President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the newly constructed second golden fence, which had been completed in just one year. Reflecting on this achievement, we are optimistic that the purpose of your visit today will also be fulfilled. This land has seen the coronation of over two hundred kings.
You are addressing the Malwatu Maha Vihara, the historic origin of the Sambuddha Order in Sri Lanka. Your dedication to the renovation of the Malwatu temple is deeply valued. Your efforts to preserve Buddhist history are commendable and will undoubtedly lead to significant success.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, along with Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Mahinda Amaraweera, Prasanna Ranatunga, Kanchana Wijesekera, and Bandula Gunawardena, as well as Ministers of State Shehan Semasinghe, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Piyal Nishantha, and Jagath Pushpakumara, Members of Parliament Wajira Abeywardena, Duminda Dissanayake, SM Chandrasena, Sampath Athukorala, and H.C. Muthukumarana, and President’s Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka, were present at the event.
Former Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and P.Harrison, former Chief Minister SM Ranjith, and other notable figures also attended.
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