JICA ALUMNI OF SRI LANKA INVOKES BLESSINGS ON JAPANESE EMPEROR

The Jicaalumni Association of Sri Lanka recently commemorated the Birthday of Emperor of Japan at the Historic Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

The programme commenced with the members of JICAAA offering flowers, lighting oil lamps and incense while offering refreshing ‘gilanpasa’ prepared in purity and devotion for the Triple Gem – Buddha, Dhamma and Sanghafollowed by the bathing of the sacred Bodhi with pots of water carried in procession around the Tree.

The most Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero after guiding devotees to observe Pancha Seela briefly sermonized the virtue of the noble deed they were committing this year too as grateful human beings remembering the assistance the Japanese nation had offered over a long period of time for the well being of Sri Lankan people. His Majesty the Emperor Akihitho who has been a friend of Sri Lanka throughout his reign is a devoted Buddhist and its quite appropriate and commendable that the Membership of JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka organizes and unfailingly holds this Buddhist event annually to invoke the blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha on the King and people of Japan.

Among the devotees joining in was the Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office Mr Akio Nakamoto along with other Japanese officials and Executive Committee Members of the JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka headed by Mr. Chitral Jayawardena the President. Mr. Thusitha Munindradasa, Secretary and other prominent office bearers were also active participants organizing and contributing for the success of this worthy cause as they have always been.