COLOMBO (News1st): A special ceremony to mark the 156th birth anniversary of Sir Anagarika Dharmapala was held at the Maligakanda Maha Bodhi Agrashrawaka Maha Viharaya.

The event was presided by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received the blessings of the Maha Sangha after paying homage to the relics of chief disciples Sariuth and Mugalan.

Floral tributes were paid to the statue of Sir Anagarika Dharmapala.

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, the chairman of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, drew parallels between Sir Anagarika Dharmapala and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“If you believe in reincarnation you (the President) are the current Anagarika,” Ven. Upatissa Thero remarked.

He lamented that Sri Lankan Buddhists neither know how to obtain his support nor seek his support.

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