I do not care about slander and defamation;President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that baseless slander and defamations are not issues for him during his journey towards to make a better future for the country and the people. He was speaking at a religious ceremony to unveil the marble Buddha statue at Sri Dharma Vijayaloka Maha Viharaya in Pannipitiya yesterday .

“Even the Buddha was insulted during that time. There is no wonder that I also face insults and slander in this society, which is deteriorating due to commercialization”, he said.

President recalled that Mahathma Gandhi who was leading the struggle for freedom in neighboring Maha Bharatha as well as a Srimath S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, a pioneer political leader in this country were also insulted.

He pointed out that today modern technology is used for disgracing people than using it for the gaining knowledge, social development or building a better society. He said the young generation should be spiritually developed in order to save them from this harmful social condition. The President, who paid the floral tribute to the Buddha statue, opened it for the worship of the people.

Chief Incumbent of Vipassana Meditation Center in Yangon, Myanmar Ven. Badantha Saddhamakiththisara Thero presented a souvenir to the President at this occasion.

President Sirisena looked into the well-being of Maha Nayaka of Kotte Chapter of Shyamopali Maha Nikaya Ven. Rukmale Sri Dharmavijayaloka Thero and Maha Viharadhipati Most Ven. Dr. Iththepane Dhammalankara Thero.

Maha Nayaka of Ramagna Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Napane Premasiri Thero, Anu Nayaka of Malwathu Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thero, Ven. Yatiravana Seelananda Nayaka Thero, Ministers Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Daya Gamage and the Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Dewapriya were among those participated in this occasion.