Religious ceremony for Diamond Jubilee at London Buddhist Vihara

The Master of the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace Air Vice Marshal Sir David Walker took part in religious ceremonies at the oldest Theravada Buddhist temple in the United Kingdom, the London Buddhist Vihara in connection with Queen Elizebeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations this week. Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and head monk of the Vihara, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera welcomed the Queen's representative for ceremonies at which over a hundred suporters of the Vihara were present. Ven. Seelawimala Thera who is also head of the British Sangha Sabha represented the Buddhist community in the UK at the Golden Jubilee Thanks Giving service at which President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mrs. Rajapaksa were also present. Mr. Zacky Cooper, Assistant Press Secretary to the Queen, Dr. Desmond Biddulph, President of the British Buddhist Society and Dr. Chris Nonis, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka were also present at the religious ceremony.