156th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 156th birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was celebrated under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Maligakanda Mahabodhi Agrasrawaka Maha Viharaya last morning.   

The President was received at the temple by Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera, President of the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society and Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan.   

President Rajapaksa paid floral tributes to the statue of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala and planted a sandalwood sapling marking the ‘Suwa Dharani’ Hela Osu Conservation Project launched by the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine Promotion  in honour of the ‘Dampal Chinthawaliya.’   

Most Venerable Iththepane Dhammalankara Thera, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, G.L. Peiris, State Ministers Nalaka Godahewa, Sisira Jayakody and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene were also present at the occasion. 

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana