In view of the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations, an alms giving ceremony attended by 3,000 Buddhist monks was held at Sri Dalada Maligawa yesterday with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The event was organized by the Thrisika Meditation Centre in Thailand.

Chief Bikshuni of the Thailand Thrisika Meditation Centre Thachi Deerapon and a delegation of Thai Buddhists arrived in the country to perform the alms giving ceremony at the Dalada Maligawa.

The Asigiri Chapter Deputy Secretary Ven. Naranpanawe Ananda Nayake Thero delivering an anusasana blessed President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating the country from the menace of the LTTE terrorism and creating an atmosphere where religious observances of this type could take place anywhere in the island. After offering pariskara to the Maha Sangha, the President distributed Buddha statues brought from Thailand among the Maha Sangha.

The alms giving ceremony was attended by the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiri Chapter the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thero, Asgiri Chapter Anunayake Ven. Galagama Dhammadassi Thero and Malwatu Chapter Anunayake Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Wimaladhamma Thero.

President Rajapaksa also visited the Dalada Maligawa yesterday and called on the Maha Nayaka of the Malwatta Chapter Most Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero at Malwatu Vihara. Later he visited the Maha Nayake of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Thera at Asgiriya Temple.