Commander among Distinguished Guests to the Opening of the New Upcountry Meditation Complex

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The new Ududumbara ‘Samatha Vidarashana& Meditation Centre complex, erected in scenic mountainous Udapitiwala terrain, off Ududumbara
was vested in the Maha Sangha this morning (29) during a religious ceremony, graced by Most Ven Warakagoda Gnanaratanabhidhana Nayake Thera,
Maha Nayake of Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven Narampanawe Ananda Thera, Deputy Registrar for Asgiriya Chapter and Parivenadipathi for Asgiriya
Pirivena, reputed monks and a host of distinguished guests, inclusive of the Diyawadana Nilame (DN) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela
Bandara, acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the
Police for Central Province Roshan Fernando, et al. The new complex, complete with meditation cottages, monasteries for monks, alms halls
and all other facilities, etc, saw its fruition after the land was donated by the former senior (retired) DIG Nimal Mediwaka and his family
to the ‘Sasana&. Chief prelates, members of the Maha Sangha and the day distinguished guests on arrival at the nearby Kuluntenna junction
was conducted in a procession, coloured by ‘Ves& dancers
En route they joined the cornerstone-laying event for the new shrine at Kaluntenna Wimaladharma Maha Vidyalaya premises and the formal
handover of a new house, built for a helpless family in the area. At the auspicious minute at 9.45 am, Most Ven Warakagoda Gnanarathana
Maha Nayake Thero cut a ribbon and opened the main meditation complex after Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva unveiled a plaque to the same
effect in the presence of the monks and other visitors
After offerings were made to the Buddha, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and others went round the premises and saw for themselves of the
new constructions, together with monks. The visiting acting CDS and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva also received
blessings from several prominent Nayake monks during his pause in the complex
Those monks also wished him good luck and strength to overcome challenges that lie ahead of him and the country alike. A large
representative gathering of most leading monks, belonging to all schools of Buddhist teaching and sects were present during the ceremony.