Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune
Colombo, 24 May, (Asiantribune.com): "As much as I treasure and cherish this highest honour bestowed on me by the Maha Sangha on this historic occasion, for having defeated and swept off terrorism from the soil of my land of birth, and for once again unifying my country under our National Lion flag, I also solemnly promise the nation that I will do my utmost to establish a righteous and virtuous society free of vice and corruption in my motherland, Sri Lanka".
President Mahinda Rajapaksa Filicitated in ' Visvakeerthi Sri Sinhaladeeswara' by Malwatte and Asgiriya chapter chief Incumbent Ven,Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha and Ven,Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala at Sri Dalada Maligawa Magulmaduwa.Diyawadana Nilame Mr.Nilanga Delabandara also in the picture.
This was stated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the historic ceremony held in Kandy at the 'Magul Maduwa' (Ceremonial Court) in the premises of the temple 'Dalada Maligawa' where the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. The Mahanayake (Chief) monks of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters bestowed the title
"Vishvakeerthi Shree Sinhaladhishwara" on the President at the solemn ceremony held today (23)
An emotionally moved President said the blessings of the Maha Sangha was the greatest strenght in the effort to unite the divided nation after thirty years, and placed his reverence at the feet of the venerable maha sangha.
He recalled with gratitude the yeoman service rendered by the Defence Secretary, Service Chiefs,IGP and the gallant armed forces in the battle to protect and unite this country.
"As a cabinet minister,I was conferred the 'Sri Rohana Jana Ranjana' title at this historic venue.While conferring that title, the late chief prelate stated what he expected from me.If he was alive today,I know he would have been the happiest, as his dream to unite this nation has come true", the President recalled to memory.
Continuing the President said the most urgent task was to build a just society and added that because of a prolonged cruel war, the state would not have met all needs of the Maha Sangha."We shall from now, meet all such needs to build a just and free society", the President asserted. He further noted that all must work according to the Buddhist doctrine towards such a noble objective to build a righteous society.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visits Malwatta and Asgiriya chapter temples and met Chief Incumbents of Ven,Tibbottuwawe Sri Sumangala and Ven,Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha thero in Kandy on 23rd morning. All Forcers Commanders and Minister Chamal Rajapaksa,Sec Diffence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa,also were present. – (Pix – Sudath Silva)
Coincidentally it was in this same venue that in March 1815, the historic Kandyan Convention was signed by the then ruling monarch, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe ceding the entire country to the British. Since then Sri Lanka had been a British colony until 1948. However in 1972 Sri Lanka declared itself a Democratic Socialist Republic, no more owing allegiance to the British Crown.
Since the 1970s Sri Lanka had been plagued by the terrorist LTTE which tried to carve out a separate State called Eelam. President Mahinda Rajapaksa led the struggle against the LTTE and only last week, after 30 years, he liberated the country from terrorism of the LTTE and unified the entire country.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was deeply indebted to the Maha Sangha for giving him wise counsel during the dark days of terrorist incursions. The honor bestowed on him today gives him more courage and strength to usher in a just and fair society,he added.
Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilake and Director of Civil Defence, Rear Admiral, Sarath Weerasekera were also decorated by the Maha Sangha in appreciation of their services for winning the war against the LTTE.
- Asian Tribune -
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