The Katina Robe was taken from the President’s Official Residence to the Vipassana Meditation Centre. President Sirisena offered “Heel Daana” to Buddhist monks in the morning.

Katina refers to the offering of the special robe (Katina civara) prepared and presented to monks who have completed the three-month period of retreat called Vas in Sinhala, and Vassana in Pali, meaning the period of rain. Katina literally means ‘firm,’ or ‘solid,’ because the offering of a Katina robe helps to earn solid good karma. The Katina Ceremony is over 2500 years old. It is a monastic tradition preserved and observed by Buddhists all over the world because it is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire merit once a year.

The President also declared open the museum which was established in the name of the Late Ven. Harispaththuwe Ariyawansalanakra Thero.

The President and his family members, Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishanthe de Silva, Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon and devotees attended the noon Alms Giving offered to the Maha Sangha led by Chief Incumbent of Vipassana Meditation Centre, Venerable Meetalawe Vineetha Thera.