Ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife were the chief guests at a weeklong alms giving to mark the 80th birthday of Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Thera.
As the chief patrons of Sri Maha Vihara at Pamankada, they attended the second day of religious functions yesterday (28) for Piyananada Thera, the Chief Sangha Nanayake of the US.
On the previous day, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa opened a new building complex at the temple.
Addressing the event, Piyananda Thera said that after having ended a 30-year war, thousands of soldiers worked untiringly to renovate thousands of Buddhist religious places with Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s guidance.
Leading Buddhist clergy present on the occasion included Ven. Uyangoda Maithrimurthi, Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma, Ven. Wendaruwe Upali, Ven. Omare Kassapa, Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana, Ven. Ethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilake and Ven. Kallanchiye Ratanasiri Theras.
Northwestern province governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, state minister Anupa Pasquel, ex-ministers Ravi Karunanayake and P. Dayaratne were also in attendance.
