Sri Lanka's newly appointed president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), spends the majority of his first day in office receiving various religious blessings including visiting monks and worshipping at a Buddhist temple.
In one of two posts on X about the visits on the 23rd September 2024, AKD posted pictures of visiting the Maha Nayaka of Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Sect Ven, the Chief Monk of the leading Buddhist Monastic Fraternity in Sri Lanka.
After assuming the responsibilities of the presidency, I visited the Maha Nayaka of Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Sect Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala at Malwathu Maha Viharaya and Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, at Asgiriya Maha… pic.twitter.com/FfBdscUPIr
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024
AKD also saw Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala at Malwathu Maha Viharaya and Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, at Asgiriya Maha Viharaya in Kandy in the afternoon.
In the another post on X, the new president then went on to visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy on the 23rd evening, worshipping the Tooth relic of Lord Buddha
After assuming the responsibilities of the presidency, I worshipped the Tooth relic of Lord Buddha at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy this (23) evening. pic.twitter.com/NcvvR4tXlj
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024
In another post, AKD shares his visit at the Dawatagaha mosque in Colombo, meeting Maulavis
After assuming duties, I met Maulavis at Dawatagaha mosque in Colombo yesterday (23). pic.twitter.com/1RnAiJ1Otr
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 24, 2024
AKD also met His Eminence, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, at his official residence
As the newly appointed Executive President, I had the honor of meeting His Eminence, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, at his official residence yesterday (23rd). pic.twitter.com/uYfwrQ6JDc
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024
[In Sri Lanka, Buddhism is often conjoined with the state. While Article 6 of the Sri Lankan constitution appears to promote equality on racial, religious and other backgrounds, Article 9 ensures that Buddhism remains at the 'foremost place' in Sri Lanka and that 'accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana'.
Destruction and appropriation of Tamil and Muslim land continue to take place across the North-East to make way for Buddhist sites.]
