Thera and Samaneras meet President on New Year's eve
THENNAKOON BANDARA - Monaragala Daily News Corr:
“There are good and bad things that occur in our life. The good
matters echo in our hearts forever. This is such a good occurrence that
took place on the 13th of April, with the dawn of the New Year,” said
Ven. Ethiliwewa Himarathana Thera, chief priest of the Thelulle Sri
Bodhirukkaramaya, one of the remotest temples in Wellawaya, Moneragala.
He met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Medamulana residence along
with 16 little samaneras.
Speaking to the Daily News, the chief priest said that the samaneras
requested him to make arrangements to visit President Rajapaksa on New
Year's Day, as they had never seen him before.
So even without prior notice they went to the residence of the
President early that morning.
The President warmly welcomed them and after the Heel Dana
(breakfast), books and pirikara were presented to them by the President
and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The samaneras received them ecstatically. Samanera Thelulle
Jinarathana, a student of Weherayaya Gangarama Maha Pirivena in grade
six, recited newly composed poems about the President.
The President highly appreciated the abilities of the samanera and
had a friendly chat with them.
“We were very happy to be with the President who restored peace and
harmony in our motherland and whose heart is filled with human kindness.
We very rarely find persons of this caliber as he respects every one
of us equally irrespective of class, caste, and creed. We as the sangha
lend our support to him for political stability of the government” the
thero said. |
