The historic annual feast of St. Anthony of Padua was successfully held on Kachchativu Island on the 14th and 15th of March.

This annual religious event was organized with the full support of the Sri Lanka Navy and with the participation of both Sri Lankan and Indian clergy.

The festival was attended by a large number of devotees from both Sri Lanka and India. Among the attendees were Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Development, Mr. Ramalingam Chandraseker, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, as well as several senior officers from the tri-forces and the police.

A special IFTAR ceremony was held this evening (14th) at Temple Trees in commemoration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The event was graced by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The event was attended by a significant number of Islamic religious leaders and devotees, and it was held with a strong emphasis on Islamic religious traditions.

The Deputy Speaker, Rizvie Salih, delivered the welcome speech, while the Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffer, also addressed the gathering.

Sheikh Abdullah Shaheed Mawlavi delivered a special sermon on the significance of the month of Ramadan.

Following a special prayer session, the breaking of the fast commenced at 6:23 PM, after which a special banquet was held.

President Disanayake also engaged in a friendly conversation with the attendees of the IFTAR ceremony.

Among the distinguished guests were Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Governor of the Western Province, Mr. Hanif Yusuf, as well as Government and Opposition Parliamentarians, State Officials, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, and Media Personnel.

(President’s Media Division)

The ceremonial awarding of the ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ to the newly appointed Supreme Mahanayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Rassagala Chapter and Balangoda Sri Dharmananda Vidyayathana Pirivena, was held today (10) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake presented the ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ to the newly appointed Supreme Mahanayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya.

Additionally, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi offered the ‘Vijinipata’ to the Supreme Mahanayaka Thero.

Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nayaka Thero was born on October 1, 1948, in Kamburupitiya, Matara, and entered the noble monastic life in 1962 under the guidance of Aggamaha Pandita Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Thero. In recognition of his more than six decades of dedicated service to Buddhism, religion, society, and education, the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya has appointed him as the new Supreme Mahanayaka Thero.

Addressing the ceremony, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that in the process of restoring a morally upright nation, the Maha Sangha and religious institutions of this country bear an irreplaceable and profound responsibility.

The President further emphasized that no matter how many economic and political victories are achieved, they would be meaningless if a just and virtuous society is not established.

The President highlighted that the restoration of the nation’s fractured society cannot be achieved through law alone and stressed the need to build a compassionate society. He further stated that the country urgently requires a strong national dialogue on the essence of liberation, as preached by the Buddha and other religious leaders, for the well-being of its citizens.

The President also mentioned that discussions are currently underway with the Mahanayaka Theros regarding the Buddhist Dialogue Act. The President further noted that amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Viharagam and Dewalagam Ordinance have been drafted, and steps will be taken to present them to the Cabinet soon. Once approved, they will be submitted to the Parliament for enactment, ensuring the formal establishment of the Sangha Council and granting the necessary authority to the Mahanayaka Theros and the Sangha Sabha.

During the ceremony, commemorative publications, including the biography of the Mahanayaka Thero, were also presented to President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The event was attended by the Maha Sangha representing the tri-Nikaya, former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ministers, MPs, foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, government officials, members of ‘Dayaka Sabha’, and a large gathering of devotees.

(President’s Media Division)