 Photograph: ColomboPage |
Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena vowed to always seek advice from the Buddhist clergy and “do each and every action” to ensure the well being of the Buddha Sasana, in a speech given at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple on Saturday.
Speaking after worshipping at the site, Mr Sirisena told the audience of monks that he “will always seek the advice and the blessings from the Maha Sangha to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities [the government] has to the people”, reports ColomboPage.
The Sri Lankan president further added that “he will take every action for the betterment for the people and the Buddha Sasana”.
 Photograph: Facebook - Sajith Premadasa |
Mr Sirisena made his pledge in front of hundreds of monks at the Buddhist temple after undertaking a 'Redemption Ritual' at the site, a place where “the faithful believe they can wash away their sins” according to the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's powerful clergy claim the Buddha once visited the temple, which has now become a sacred site for pilgrimage.
He was joined by several newly appointed ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers, including Sajith Premadasa and the newly appointed Minister of Buddha Sasana Karu Jayasuriya.
Also in attendance was Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who told the crowd that the government would rule like the Lichchavi, reports Hiru News, referencing an ancient Indian Buddhist dynasty.
 Photograph: Facebook - Sajith Premadasa |
Their speeches come after the pair sought blessings from Buddhist monks at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy last week, traditionally seen by Sri Lanka's Buddhists as the seat of power on the island.
All of Sri Lanka's previous presidents and prime ministers have paid homage at the site once taking up office - a hugely symbolic venue and the seat of ancient Sinhala kingdoms, according to southern mythology.
See more in our earlier post: Ranil assures Buddhist clergy security tight in Jaffna, probe to be launched (11 Jan 2015)