The three-storey Sri Somananda Memorial building at the Thalawathugoda Suddharmarama Viharaya was vested in the Maha Sangha at a ceremony presided over by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday afternoon. President Sirisena opened the building by unveiling a memorial plaque.

The building costing Rs. 25 million and funded by financial contributions from members of the Viharaya’s Dayaka Sabha, consists of a dharmasala, library and a sanghavasa. An exposition of relics of Arahant bhikkus brought down from Myanmar by the Bosath Sir Lanka Foundation was also opened by President Sirisena at the venue. The Maha Sangha led by Viharadhipati Ven. Prof. Kiwulegedara Narada Nayake Thera chanted seth pirith and invoked blessings on President Sirisena.

The President also handed over a memento to Bosath Sri Lanka Foundation President Vishwakeerthi Desamanya K.A.D.M. Umesh Chathura.Ven. Panditha Nuwara Eliye Chandrajothi Mahanayake Thera of the Udarata Amarapura Maha Nikaya presented a special memento to President Sirisena.

Ven. Tirikunamalaya Ananda Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Dharmarakshitha Maha Nikaya, Ven. Rajakeeya Panditha Attrangama Vajirajothi Anunayaka Thera, Maligakanda Vidyodaya Parivendhipathi Ven. Rajakeeya Panditha Balangoda Sobhitha Nayake Thera, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie and Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya were also present on the occasion.