The grand religious festival of Esala Perahera in Sri Lanka came to a successful end Thursday with the water cutting ceremony and the presentation of the Sannasa to the President Maithripala Sirisena.
According to the traditional customs, Custodian of the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bndara, along with the Basnayake Nilames of the four Hindu Temples (Dewales), officially presented the ‘Sannasa’, the traditional communication of successful conclusion of the Kandy Esala Perahera, to the Head of State, President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s House in Kandy yesterday.
Addressing the gathering the President said that “we have inherited high moral values that no other developed country in this world possesses, because of our proud culture which developed with the philosophy of the Buddha.” He further said that all must unite to take the country forward as a better country in this world while protecting its own cultural values.
“The biggest wealth we can give to this troubled world is the Theravada Buddhism,” he added.
President Sirisena presented prizes and awards to the artists who participated in the Kandy Esala Perahera.
Central Province Governor, Niluka Ekanayake, Chief Minister, Sarath Ekanayake, Ministers including Lakshman Kiriella, MPs, and many others participated in this event.