President calls on Mahanayakes and receive their blessings

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (05) called on Mahanayake and Anunayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters to receive their blessings.

The President visited the Malwathu Maha Vihara and called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera and obtained blessings for the New Year.

The President briefed the Mahanayake Thera on the steps taken by the government to protect and conserve historical sites of archaeological value. The Mahanayake Thera presented a memento to the President. The President also inspected the construction work of the new Vihara Mandira building at the Malwathu Temple premises.

The President then visited the Asgiri Chapter Mahanayake Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thera at the Asgiri Maha Vihara and received blessings. President Rajapaksa visited the Asgiri Gedige Rajamaha Vihara and paid a courtesy call on the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Wendaruwe Sri Upali Thera. The President engaged in a discussion with the Thera and inquired about the progress of the construction work being carried out at the temple premises.

Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera invoked blessings on the President at the Asgiri Udugama Vihara by chanting Seth Pirith and also commented on the programme implemented by the President to take the country forward. President Rajapaksa also called on the Chief Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera and received blessings. Deputy Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Narampanawa Ananda Thera and the Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the President at the Asgiri Maha Vihara Maha Piriven by chanting the Jaya Piritha.