Colombo, August 21 (Presidential Media Division): President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has assumed the responsibility of this country is a leader with foresight who will definitely rebuild the country, said Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Venerable Dr. Walavahangunaweve Dhammarathana Nayaka Thera.
The Thera said that President Wickremesinghe’s appointment proves the saying that “If something is destined to happen, it will happen to the most suited”, adding that today Mr. Wickremesinghe has taken charge of this country and is shouldering the responsibility of rebuilding the country, which is a blessing in disguise.
The President who visited Mihintale sacred site today (21) engaged in religious observances and received blessings. Thereafter, the President paid a courtesy call on the Chief Incumbent Venerable Dr. Walavahangunaweve Dhammaratana Thera and inquired about his well-being. The Thera made this brief exhortation during the meeting.
The Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President and the ‘Mihinthala Memorandum’ was also presented to the President.
During the exhortation by Ven. Dr. Walavahangunaweve Dhammaratana Thera said, “This sacred site which is called the Mihintale Sacred area is where King Dharmashoka’s Eldest Son Mihindu Maha Rahathan and Sri Lankan King Devanam Piyatissa held the first diplomatic meeting 2,330 years ago. This is where the concept of trusteeship was introduced. ‘You cannot hunt as you please. You cannot kill animals on land and sea.’
There was no religious or racial bias there and neither was there any political bias. It was a trusteeship concept where there was a need to protect everyone. Not only that, there was also a need to protect the environment and all life on this land.
As descendants of Mihidu Maha Rahathan, we are happy and bestow our blessings on our President who has come here to receive blessings after having taken over this country.
We bestow our blessings upon him and congratulate him.
The Caucasian chalk circle (Hunu Wataye Kathawa) states that “If something is to happen, it should happen to someone who deserves it ”.
Ven. Dr. Walavahangunaweve Dhammaratana Thera said, “Back then, many media and politicians assassinated your character. Some politicians went to the South and called you a terrorist. Several electronic and print media created a slogan “Ranil cant”, and created that notion. Yet, Mangala Samaraweera corrected this and stated that, “Ranil should be given the presidency”. The other person was Sripathi Sooriyarachchi. There are several others too.
Finally, we know there were two or three wars. There was the LTTE in 1989, on one side and the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on the other side. Transformers and factories were set on fire on fire, while bombs exploded from the other side. Yet, even during that time, the country never faced so much pressure or hardships.
Today, on one side, the Covid epidemic, on the other side, political instability. There is racism, as well as religious prejudice. We all know that although there was a country, eventually there was no law and order in the country.
It was those who were under the influence of drugs who checked the police vehicles. They took the law into their hands and started attacking the police. They stole weapons and engaged in various atrocities.
Eventually, you stepped forward as a blessing in disguise, to do good for the country. Even your house is written to Royal College. You don’t hold even an inch of land anywhere in the world or even in Sri Lanka. Everything you had, you have donated to universities and other institutions. Our President Ranil Wickremesinghe is such a selfless character.
During the recent past, people took what he said lightly and they ridiculed him. Yet, eventually he undertook this task which is like placing his neck to the train. He accepted the Premiership and then the presidency.
Others were invited to come forward and accept the presidency, but they did not. Whatever said and done, one must have the merit to receive such a post.
It is a good fortune to be in charge of Sri Lanka, to be in charge of these great sacred treasures, to be in charge of all these different religions and different races.
Even prior to becoming the President, you have attended the Mihinthale Aloka Pooja (offertory of lights) even as a child. Even as the Prime Minister, you have attended this Aloka Pooja on many occasions. Even after assuming the presidency, you did not forget to engage in this ritual.”
Former Ministers and Members of Parliament S.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayake, Shehan Semasinghe, Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, former Ministers Daya Gamage, Anoma Gamage and others attended the event.
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