All night “Pirith Chanting” Ceremony to bless Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka and Australia, the newly constructed Chancery building of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and all those who made the supreme sacrifice and suffered injuries to bring peace to our motherland was held on 21st December 2012 at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra ,Australia under the patronage and the participation of the Most Venerable Udugama Rathnapala Sri Buddharakkitabhidhana Maha Nayaka Thero of Mahavihara Vansika Shyamopali Maha Nayake, Asgiriya Chapter and eighteen Buddhist priest from Australia and Sri Lanka.
On the invitation of the High Commissioner and the High Commission staff the Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero, Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter specially travelled to Canberra with a four member delegation of Senior Buddhist priest from Sri Lanka to attend the Ceremony.
Ven Kotapola Upali Thero, the Chief incumbent of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara in Canberra and the Chief incumbents of Buddhist temples in Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Brisbane in Australia and New Zealand also participated at the ceremony along with Maha Sangha representing other Buddhist Viharas in Australia.
The Ceremony commenced with a colourful ‘Perahera” organised with the participation of the Sri Lankan Community in Canberra where the special casket carrying the Buddha Relics was taken to the specially constructed “Pirith Mandapaya” by the High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe.
Over 500 invitees of different faiths including the Heads of Foreign Diplomatic Missions, Members of the Diplomatic Community in Canberra and other Australian dignitaries representing different Government agencies in Australia participated with keen interest together with the Sri Lankan Community in this special event.
The ceremony was concluded with a “Sanghika Dana” offered by His Excellency Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Mrs Malathie Samarasinghe and the staff of the High Commission along with
the Sri Lankan Community on the following morning (Saturday).
The High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe in his introductory remarks explained that this “Pirith Chanting” is held for the first time in Canberra and was to bless His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who had brought freedom and peace to the country by ending a three decade long conflict and defeating terrorism, the people of Sri Lanka and Australia and the newly constructed Chancery building of the Sri Lanka High Commission.
Ven Naotunne Vijitha Thero Chief Incumbent of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist Viharaya in Victoria explained in English the significance of the “Pirith Chanting” and the merit it brings to People and to the Communities. The “anusasanas” at the “Sanghika Dana” were delivered by the Most Ven. Udugama Sri BuddharakkithaThero, Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter and Ven Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero.
In his concluding remarks Ven Maha Nayaka Thero stated that the entire Sri Lankan Community in Australia are extremely happy with the dedication and devotion shown by the High Commissioner and his staff in fulfilling the vision and meeting the directives of His Excellency the President in promoting Sri Lanka in Australia.
The High Commission also afforded the opportunity to Buddhist devotees in New South Wales and Victoria to be blessed by Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Thero and visiting Senior Priest at Ceremonies conducted in Sydney and Melbourne on 23rd and 25th December 2012 respectively.
The Ven.Maha Nayaka Thero thanked the High Commissioner and his entire staff for the excellent arrangements made and successfully organising the Ceremony in Canberra and the efforts taken to maintain harmony amongst all communities.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
Australia
23.12.2012
