Kusalassa Upasampada - 04

The 4th phase was held recently under the National Program for the Training of New Upasampada Lords. 80 Lords participated in the program held from 18th to 24th June 2022 at Pannipitiya Devram Maha Viharasthan. The training program on the subject of the monks who settled in Upasampada Seelaya under Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya consisted of lectures as well as practical activities.

The special temple tour program was held at the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathana premises in Maharagama. Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha were also present at the occasion.

The closing ceremony was held on 24th June 2022 at Devram Maha Viharasthan, Pannipitiya. The Supreme Grand Master of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Dhurandhara Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake, the Mahanayake of Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Nikaya Dhurandhara Most Venerable Ahungalle Siri Seelavisuddhi Mahanayake, Mahanayake Dhurandhara of Amarapura Siri Sumana Parshwa and the Mahanayake of Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala Mahanayake,

Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Sahan Kuruppu, Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs (Vihara Devalagam) and other dignitaries were present at the closing ceremony.

Ceremony to pay homage to the sacred relics

The National Heritage Preservation Organization has organized an exhibition of sacred relics at the Sri Naga Viharaya in Jaffna on the occasion of the Poson festival of the year 2330 (2022). A sacred tribute was paid to the sacred relics on 10.06.2022 at the premises of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Colombo 07.

Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Secretary to the Ministry and Sunanda Kariyapperuma, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs were also present at the occasion.

The sacred relics were taken in a procession to the Beira Lake Boundary at Gangarama Viharaya, Colombo 02 at 8.00 am and a special pooja was performed. Prof. Induragare Dhammaratana Thero, Hunupitiya Gangaramadhikari Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha conducted the special pooja.

New Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana assumes duties

Somaratne Vidanapathirana assumed duties as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs at Sir Anagari Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07 on today ( 25.05.2022. ) Mr. Vidanapathirana has served as the Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service as the District Secretary of Mannar, Vavuniya and Galle and as the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Wildlife Insurance. An alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, Mr. Vidanapathirana holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Postgraduate Degree in Economics from the University of Kelaniya.

The Most Venerable Diviyagaha Yasassi Nayaka Thero, Leader of the Chief Judicial Council of the New Korale, Colombo and other members of the Maha Sangha were also present on the occasion. The Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and all the Heads of Departments, Institutions and other dignitaries under the Ministry were present at this occasion.