GENERAL SHAVENDRA SILVA INVOKES BLESSINGS AT THE TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH RELIC FOR THE SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR

At the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Sujeewa Nelson, visited The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy to invoke the blessings of the revered Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Upon arrival, they received a warm welcome from the Chief Custodian of the Temple of the Tooth, Diyawadana Nilame Dr. Pradeep Nilanga Dala.

The CDS then worshipped the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha with solemn reverence, performing the sacred rituals with meticulous devotion and respect. Afterwards, he humbly paid a visit to the esteemed Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabidhana Mahanayake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Malwatta Chapter. Venerable Mahanayake Thero bestowed the blessings of the noble Triple Gem upon General Shavendra Silva and Mrs. Sujeewa Nelson, before engaging in a cordial conversation. Mahanayake Thero highly praised the services rendered by the CDS to the nation and wished him strength, courage, and good health to continue his commendable service to the country. Subsequently, the CDS also visited the Anunayaka Theros of the Malwatta Chapter.

Then, the CDS reverently visited the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pagghananda Gnanarathanabidhana Mahanayake Thero. Venerable Dhammasiddhi Thero admired the contributions made by the CDS during humanitarian operations as a field commander and his crucial role in managing and mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Venerable Thero appreciated General Shavendra Silva’s commitment as the Commander of the Army amidst the difficult periods the country has faced in the recent past, and his untiring dedication to the nation thus far.

During this visit, the CDS was accompanied by Mrs. Sujeewa Nelson and the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiriya Chapter in Rathnapura Mahadisawa, as well as the Chief Priest of Kuragala, Nelligala, and Ambuluwawa temples, Most Venerable Wathurakumbure Dammarathana Thero.

Later on, CDS also visited Most Venerable Wathurakumbure Dammarathana Thero at Nelligala temple, and Most Venerable Godagma Mangala Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya at Asgiri Maha Vihara Pirivena in Kandy.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world-renowned place of worship, housing the left tooth of Gautama Buddha. Revered by thousands of local and foreign devotees and tourists daily, the temple holds profound significance for Buddhists worldwide and carries immense cultural value.