President Anura Kumara Dissanayake spent the Sinhala and Tamil New Year observing traditional customs and visiting senior Buddhist leaders across the island on April 15.
Oil Anointing at Kandy
The President participated in the state oil anointing ceremony — known as “tel kapima” — at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya within the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic complex in Kandy. The auspicious time for the ritual fell at 6:55 a.m., marking one of the final ceremonial observances of the New Year period.
Visits to Buddhist Prelates
Later in the day, Dissanayake called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Nikaya at the Malwathu Maha Vihara. The President inquired after the prelate’s well-being and engaged in a brief discussion. Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa accompanied the President. The Mahanayaka Thera chanted Seth Pirith and invoked New Year blessings.
In the evening, the President visited the Most Venerable Aggamaha Pandita Makulewe Wimala Mahanayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya at Sri Vidyavasa Pirivena Maha Vihara in Minuwangoda, Meerigama. The Mahanayaka Thera also chanted Seth Pirith for the occasion.
Broader Significance
The multi-nikaya outreach is notable for the NPP government, which has actively engaged senior Buddhist leadership since taking office. The visits to both the Malwathu Chapter and the Ramanna Nikaya demonstrate the administration’s emphasis on maintaining close ties with the country’s principal Buddhist institutions during a period of economic uncertainty.
