He made these observations participating at the felicitation ceremony at the Sri Gunananda Buddhist Centre in Neluwa Today (19). The ceremony was organized to felicitate the Most Venerable Udagama Samitha Nayaka Thero , who was conferred with the office of Mahanayaka of the Hinidum Pattuwa.

The President said that today, we can talk proudly about our great history because of the members of the Maha Sangha in our country always stood to protect ourMotherland by sacrificing their lives.

He also said that discipline and moral values in the country are protected to some extent due to the commitment of the Maha Sangha. He further said that the Government will fulfill their responsibilities towards the Maha Sangha, who committed themselves to build a better society by inculcating spiritual values among the people.

The President engaged in religious observances at the Sri Gunananda Buddhist Centre and secured blessings from theNayaka Thero. Thereafter the President declared open the newly constructed Dharma Shalawa at the Buddhist Centre.

On this occasion President Maithripala Sirisena presented the scroll to the new Mahanayaka Thero.

Members of the Maha Sangha including Aggamaha Panditha Pallathtara Sumanajothi Nayaka Thera, Chairman of the Mahabodhi Society Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, Ministers Piyasena Gamage, Gayantha Karunathillake and Shan Wijelal de Silva- Chief Ministers of the Southern Provincial Council and many others were presented at the occasion.