Diyawadana Nilame election today

A new Diyawadana Nilame will be elected for Sri Dalada Maligawa for a term of ten years in Kandy today, Government Information Deparrtment said. Those qualified to vote at the election are the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters, custodians of ancient Vihares, Basnayaka Nilames of Devales and the male Pradeshiya Secretaries. All those qualified to vote should be from the region of the country regarded as the Kandyan Region extending to 16 districts from Vavuniya in the north to Galle in the south and Puttalam in the west to Ampara in the east. Four candidates are vying for the coveted office of the lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Chief Administrator of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. They are the Acting Diyawadana Nilame (who completed his ten year term) Pradeep Nelanga Dela, his predecessor Neranjan Wijeyaratne, Basnayaka Nilame of Sri Natha Devale Gayan Heenkenda and a former Basnayake Nilame of several ancient Devales Sudantha Punchi Bandara Senanayake. A meeting of 300 representatives, both Sangha and laymen, will be held for this purpose at the Senkadagala Buddhist Centre, Hall today at 1.30 pm. and it will chaired by the Buddhist Commissioner.