A number of religious programmes have been held in Anuradhapura to invoke blessings on the country and the President who celebrated his birthday, assumed office as President and the Commonwealth Chair.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage to the historic Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura last evening. He also called on the Chief Incumbent of the Atamastana Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera. The President inaugurated the living quarters of the Sangha built in the Maha Vihare premises. A special Bodhi Pooja was held near the Sri Maha Bodhi to invoke blessings on the President and the country. The programme was organised by the staff of the Presidential Secretariat. Meanwhile an overnight Pirith chanting ceremony was held last night near the Ruwanweli Seya to invoke blessings on the country and the President. It was organised under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Atamastana Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera and the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Seya Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Thera. The President also participated in offering alms to the Maha Sangha near the Ruwanweli Seya this morning. The mid-day almsgiving was held at the Sannipatha hall near the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Alms were offered to more than 1200 Bhikkus. Special Anusasanas were delivered by the Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama in Anuradhapura and the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake of the north-central province Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera and Agga Maha Panditha Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera.
First Lady Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, Ministers S.M. Chandrasena and Duminda Dissanayake, Governor of the North –central Province Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister of the Province S.M. Ranjith, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and Chief of Presidential Staff Gamini Senarath also participated in the occasion
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