New Atamastanadhipathi assumes duties

By B.G. Chaturanga and Dayaratne Embogama 

Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwara Kalaviya and Viharadhikari of Ruwanweliseya Temple Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera assumed duties last morning as Anuradhapura Atamasthanadipathi at a religious ceremony near Jayasri Maha Bodhi.  

 Ven. Hemarathana Thera has been appointed as a unanimous decision of the Atamasthana Working Committee to succeed late Ven. Pallegama Sririniwawa Thera.   

He is the eleventh  Atamasthanadipathi in succession.  

Ven. Thera was conducted in procession to the Northern entrance of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi where he was received by Chairman of Atamasthana Karaka Sanha Dr. Janaka Bulankulama by handing in a tray of flowers.  
After religious observances, Atmasthanadhipathi Ven. Hemarathana Thera planted a Bo sapling in the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi ground and handed over a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the Chief Incumbent of Embilipitiya International Buddhist Centre Ven. Kandeketiye Saddhananda Thera to be planted there.  

Addressing the gathering Ven. Thera invoked the blessings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and deities to the country and its people.  

 Maha Sangha including the Chief Incumbents of the Atamasthana Temples were present at the occasion.