FIRST ONE-WEEK LONG PIRITH CHANTING SEGMENT AT INDEPENDENCE SQUARE CONCLUDES

The first segment (seven days) of the three-week long continuous day and night Pirith chanting at Independence Square that would continue till 9th December 2020 to invoke blessings on the country and rid the country of the spreading epidemic concluded on Tuesday (24) evening in keeping with age-old traditions.

Hon Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasooriya, Dr P.B Jayasundara, Secretary to the President, few high-ranking state officials, together with Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army who was instrumental in organizing the event with the Adjutant General of Army Headquarters, Major General Sena Waduge, sponsoring Mr Ishara Nanayakkara and his spouse, Chairman LOLC, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Major General Jagath Gunawardena, Chief of Staff attended the occasion where members of the Maha Sangha delivered the concluding chanting (Hamara Piritha).

On a concept of HE the President, the Pirith chanting organized by the Sri Lanka Army on the directions of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva with the best of cooperation, extended by the Secretary Defence, sister services and the Police, state officials and others under the guidelines given by Ven. Pahala Vitiyela Jananandabidana Thero, Chief Incumbent at Sri Kalyani Yogashrma monastic temple in Bauddhaloka Mawatha kicked off on 18 October, graced by HE the President.

Taking turns, the Sri Lanka Navy from today (25) onwards would coordinate the continuation of the chanting for a week before responsibilities to that effect are handed to the Sri Lanka Air Force. Hon Speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywarwardena, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson and other distinguished guests performed religious observances before the members of the Sangha commenced Hamara Piritha at the end of the one-week long chanting.

The final conclusion of the 21-day chanting expects to distribute blessed 100,000 Pirith water containers among all tri-service establishments, Police, COVID-19 affected areas of the country and health workers. Similarly, blessed water is to be sprinkled from the air expecting divine blessings. In addition, 700 Buddha statues are also to be distributed among temples across the country on account of the event.