President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says despite the challenges and obstacles the country will have to face, there are a number of national responsibilities and duties that must be fulfilled.
The President said rulers throughout history believed that the rituals and offerings conducted on behalf of and devoted to the Sacred Tooth Relic as a foremost duty.
The President expressed his views during the ceremony organised to mark the successful completion of the historical Esala Perahera of the Temple of the Tooth Relic at the President’s House in Kandy last evening.
The Esala Perahara epistle indicating that the Esala Perahara successfully concluded was handed over to the President by the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, the Chief Custodian of the Dalada Maligawa yesterday.
While handing over the epistle Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela expressed his gratitude to the government and all other parties for supporting the conduct of the historical processions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka preserved the ancient tradition by holding this year’s Esala Perahera while strictly adhering to health guidelines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to carry forward this important tradition.
The President added the veneration to the most Sacred Tooth Relic could be considered as a commitment made towards the country and nation.
