Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa made a courtesy call and paid his respects to Colombo/Chilaw Chief Prelate and University of Kelaniya Chancellor Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakeerthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera at the Kelaniya Vidyalankara Pirivena yesterday afternoon.
Invoking blessings on the new Prime Minister, the Thera said the expectation is that the Premier would take the responsibility of the country while protecting Sri Lanka and its people.
Following the visit, Premier Rajapaksa also visited Professor of the University of Sabaragamuwa, Venerable Kamburugamuwa Vajira Thera.
The same evening the Prime Minister visited the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara and took part in religious observances. Meeting the Chief Prelate of the
temple Venerable Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera, the Prime Minister also received his blessings. “I was very hurt and upset at the treatment being meted out to the majority, the country’s culture and its war heroes,” the Thera said during the meeting adding that it was the blessings of the God’s that moved both President Maithripala Sirisena and Rajapaksa to unite to bring about this change. “The Maha Sangha and the people now feel empowered” he continued adding that the Thera himself had voted for the former government only to be left disappointed.
Commenting on the possible international embargos on Sri Lanka due to the recent political change, Sangharakkhitha Thera said he is personally favourable to this as it will awaken the nation to stand on its own feet.
“Under your leadership, we are prepared to even have one meal a day to uplift this country” the Thera further said expressing his views to the Prime Minister.