President requests Mahanayake Theras for exposition of Tooth Relic

• The Mahanayake Theras and the Diyawadana Nilame, would take a decision on the President’s request

By Shane Seneviratne

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters to hold an exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic to mark the 75th anniversary of Independence. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met the Mahanayake Theras and Diyawadana Nilame on Saturday (17) and handed over the President’s letter in this regard.

Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera whom he met first explained to him that the Asgiriya Chapter was in charge of the services in the Dalada Maligawa this year and instructed him to meet the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven.Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera in this regard.   

However, the Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera, during the meeting with him, refrained from any comments on the President’s request, but said that the people were undergoing a trying time. Later he met Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela as well and informed him regarding the President’s request   

Prime Minister told the media that the Mahanayake Theras and the Diyawadana Nilame, would take a decision on the President’s request and the date of the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic to bless the country.