President worships Sacred Kapilawasthu relics at Kantale Agrabodhi Vihara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage and worshipped the Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics at the Kantale Agrabodhi Viharaya on tuesday morning.

This is the second occasion on which the President paid homage to the Sacred Relics since they was brought from India, the first being when he received the Relics at the BIA and at the religious ceremonies that followed.

Thousands of devotees streamed into the Agrabodhi Viharaya to pay homage since the Relics were brought to Kantale on Monday. The Relics were to be taken to the Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple in Gampola today.

There were also several dansalas catering to the pilgrims providing them with cool drinks and milk with toilet facilities too provided. Kantale Welunna Rajamaha Vihara chief incumbent, Ven Yatawara Punnyarathana Thera worked tirelessly to ensure the Sacred Relics were accorded their due reverence while also looking into the welfare of pilgrims. Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardana too extended his patronage to facilitate the pilgrims and in organizing this religious event while Trincomalee District Secretary Major General T T Ranjith de Silva also made a huge contribution.

Prime Minister and Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Minister D M Jayaratne’s Private Secretary Anuradha Jayarathna will organize the Sacred Relics exposition programme in Gampola.

The exposition of the Sacred Relics will continue at the Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple, Gampola – August 29, 30, Sri Sumangala Pirivena, Wariyapola - August 31, September 1 and Matara Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya, Matara – September 2 to 4 and 5.