Devotees pay homage to Sacred Kapilavasthu Relics

Some 200,000 devotees were present at the Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya to pay homage to the Sacred Relics brought from Kapilavastu. The exposition began at 11.00 a.m. yesterday.

The relics, which were transported by a special helicopter from the Warakapola Sri Sumangala Pirivena to the Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Play Grounds was received by parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and handed over to the Ven. Gatamanne Gunananda Thera, who is a presidential adviser on religious affairs. An Indian delegation was also present.

The Sacred Relics were carried in a motorcade to the Walgama Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya through the Matara town

Buddhist monks conducted religious rituals at the beginning of the exposition.

Ministers Dullas Alahapperuma, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Laksh- Some 200,000 devotees were present at the Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya to pay homage to the Sacred Relics brought from Kapilavastu. The exposition began at 11.00 a.m. yesterday man Yapa Abeywardena, parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa, Sanath Jayasuriya, Southern Provincial Councillors D.W. Prathapasinghe, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Southern Province Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe, Matara District Secretary K.K. Athukorala, Matara Mayor and Matara General Hospital Director Dr. Samindi Samarakone also participated in the religious ceremonies.

A l ong line of devotees had queued up for hours awaiting their turn to pay homage to the Sacred Relics.