Military strategies must be preserved; Shavendra tells Malwathu Theros

COLOMBO (News 1st); The military strategies used by Sri Lankan forces to defeat terrorism must be preserved, said Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva during his visit to Kandy on Monday (29).

"I recall we had to dig trenches to move about at night. At times, we could not even move 100m. So we changed the battlefield using self-developed strategies. Even in the United States of America, they were keener on learning the strategies we used," said General Shavendra Silva in a conversation with Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha (Dr) Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thero, the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter.

Earlier in the day, General Shavendra Silva called on the Mahanayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero at the Malwathu Temple in Kandy.

The Mahanayake Thero appreciated and recognized the services rendered by the Former Army Commander and the present Chief of Defence Staff, for the country, and the people, as well as during the floods and the COVID pandemic.

Both the Mahanayake and Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu Chapter invoked their blessings 

In appreciation and recognition of the noble and exceptional service rendered towards the nation and Buddhism in the country, the present Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil was honored with the honorary title “Mahamannya Prathapadhikeshwara” on Sunday (28 August).

Declaring the title officially, the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thera presented the ‘Sannas Patraya’ to General Shavendra Silva. 

The highest Buddhist accolade that is bestowed to any lay personality was presented to the Chief of Defence Staff at a prestigious religious ceremony held at the Ceremonial Higher Ordination Hall of the historic Asgiriya Monastery.

The honorary title is a recognition of the noble service, untiring commitment, and enormous sacrifices made by this most senior serving military officer towards the country, race, and religion for decades. The accomplished command over the successful control of the novel COVID-19 pandemic in the motherland and during the recent incidents that took place in the country was highlighted by the Mahanayaka Theros and eminent personalities present.     

The ‘Sannas Pathraya’ (Parchment) signifying the honourary title, was bestowed by the Most Ven Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pannananda Gnanarathanabhidhana Thero, the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter and on behalf of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Ven Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimala Dhammawidhana Anunayaka to the Chief of Defence Staff at the Ceremonial Higher Ordination Hall. 

Most Ven Medagama Dammananda Thero readout the consent letters of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Amarapura Nikaya well educating the distinguished gathering on the title.

The conferring of this title initiated by the Ven Maha Sangha of Asgiriya Chapter was endorsed by both the Most Ven Makulewe Wimala Thero, the Mahanayaka Thero of Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Dodampahala Chandasiri Maha Nayaka Thero of Amarapura Maha Nikaya.