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Ancient tradition revived: Acts of Appointment to be presented to Mahanayake and two Anu Nayakas
The 702-year-old Asgiriya Maha Viharaya will witness an event of great significance when a Mahanayake and two Anu-Nayake’s of the same Maha Viharaya will be presented with their Acts of Appointment tomorrow by President Maithripala Sirisena.
The ceremony will be held at the historic Audience Hall in Kandy.
The Audience Hall being prepared for the ceremony
On this day another historic tradition that will be followed is when the Mahnayake and the two Anu-Nayakas walk the two km stretch from the Audience Hall to the Maha Viharaya followed by the Karaka Sangha Sabha and the Maha Sangha.The Acts of Appointment will be presented by President Sirisena to the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter the Venerable Panditha Galagama Athadassi Thera, and to the two Anu Nayakas the Venerable Panditha Wenduruwe Upali Thera and Venerable Panditha Warakagoda Gnanaratne Thera.
The announcement was made by the Secretary to the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya the Venerable Panditha Amanamaduwa Dhammadassi Thera at a press briefing held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex on Thursday morning. The Thera added that it was the first time since 1815, a Mahnayake and two Annayake’s of the Maha Viharaya would be presented their Acts of Appointment on the same day.
He said there had been a tradition of appointing the two Anu Nayakas of both the Malwatta and Asgiriya Maha Viharayas. But since 1853 the appointment of the two Anunayakas had been delayed. However this has now been corrected with the appointment of the Mahanayake Venerable Panditha Galagama Atthadassi Thera, bringing back the second Anunayake to Asgiriya Maha Viharaya.
Another traditional feature which would be revived would take place at the Audience Hall when the Asgiriya Karaka Sangha Sabha and members of the clergy of Asgiriya Maha Viharaya would go on foot to the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya. This tradition had not been followed for some time he said.
Acting Diyawdana Nilame Pradeep Dela and District Secretary H.M.P. Hitisekera inspect the venue
The Thera said special arrangements would be made for invitees. He added that police had been requested to provide additional strength on the day. The District Secretary H.M.P. Hitisekera outlined the arrangements made by the State and said the ceremony would be carried out in accordance with traditions.
The Nayake of the historic Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, the Veneable Panditha Urulewatte Dharmarakitha Thera outlined the ceremony and said that five members of the Malwatta Maha Viharaya had been invited in accordance with traditions to participate in the ceremony.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gamini Ellepola outlined the traffic arrangements for Monday’s ceremony which would cause least inconvenience to the public.He said that there would be a total closure of Dalada Veediya and Yatinuwara Veediya tomorrow afternoon when the Maha Sangha commences their walk to the Maha Viharaya. He said that this would be the only time when the entire area would be closed for a short time.
The Acting Diyawadana Nilame -Nilanga Pradeep Dela- who initiated proceedings said the entire Sri Dalada Maligawa complex and its staff would be available for this Historic occasion.