SLAF COMMANDER ATTENDS THE RELIC ENSHRINEMENT CEREMONY AT HISTORICAL DEEGAWAPIYA STUPA
5:03pm on Sunday 14th July 2024
The depositing of sacred relics and treasures at the historic Deegawapiya Stupa took place today (14 July 2024) under the auspices of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, along with the Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence initiated restoration work on the Deegawapiya Stupa, the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka.
During the ceremony, the President deposited the relics in the Deegawapiya Stupa amidst the chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ by the Maha Sangha. Concurrently, the SLAF's Bell-212 helicopter showered flowers from the air as floral tributes were offered.
The President also offered the newly built Relics Shrine (Dhathu Mandiraya), where Sarvagna Dhatu and other relics were deposited and the Refectory (Danasalava) to the Maha Sangha.
The event was graced by the Venerable Maha Sangha, Ministers, Parliamentary Officials, the Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army and Navy, Director General Civil Security Department, senior tri-forces officers and many other dignitaries and devotees.
In addition to the main ceremonial proceedings, the 'Ginihalgeya' and the 'Dhathu Mandiraya,' both located in Deegawapiya, were declared open by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd.), early this morning, on the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force. The 'Ginihalgeya' was constructed with the labour assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy, while the 'Dhathu Mandiraya' was built entirely by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence initiated restoration work on the Deegawapiya Stupa, the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka.
During the ceremony, the President deposited the relics in the Deegawapiya Stupa amidst the chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ by the Maha Sangha. Concurrently, the SLAF's Bell-212 helicopter showered flowers from the air as floral tributes were offered.
The President also offered the newly built Relics Shrine (Dhathu Mandiraya), where Sarvagna Dhatu and other relics were deposited and the Refectory (Danasalava) to the Maha Sangha.
The event was graced by the Venerable Maha Sangha, Ministers, Parliamentary Officials, the Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army and Navy, Director General Civil Security Department, senior tri-forces officers and many other dignitaries and devotees.
In addition to the main ceremonial proceedings, the 'Ginihalgeya' and the 'Dhathu Mandiraya,' both located in Deegawapiya, were declared open by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd.), early this morning, on the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force. The 'Ginihalgeya' was constructed with the labour assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy, while the 'Dhathu Mandiraya' was built entirely by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
