President presents Scroll to new Maha Nayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter

President Maithripala Sirisena said as the Head of State he expects the Maha Sangha to take the lead in building a disciplined society rich in moral values. He made these observations at the ceremony to present the Scroll to the newly elected Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Venerable Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thero at the historic Magul Maduwa of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday. “Even though many countries in the world are more advanced than us materially and technologically, the human values or principles that can be seen in our people cannot be seen in the people of those countries,” the President further said. All of us must work together to take our country forward while protecting the core values of Buddhism, he added. The President, following the customs from ancient times of the kings presented the Sannaspathra to new Maha Nayaka Thero. During the ceremony Sannaspathra were offered to the two new Anunayaka Theros of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, Chief Incumbent of Badulla Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara and Ven. Vendaruwe Upali Thero, Polonnaruwa Solosmasthanadhipathi. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Buddha Sasana Minister karu Jayasuriya and other dignitaries including Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela participated in the ceremony.