Religious activities to commemorate 32 years of Aranthalawa massacre of Buddhist monks

The programme also included floral offering to the statue of Hegada Thera and observance of determination by the invitees followed by special pooja by Japanese Thera Ven. Asami

A series of religious activities were conducted in view of the 32nd anniversary of the massacre of the Buddhists monks in Aranthalawa, Ampara. They were held at the Aranthalawa Buddhist Centre. About 100 monks commenced the Pindapata charika from the premises close to the statue of Ven. Aranthalawa Hegoda Indrasara thera to the Buddhist Centre.

The programme also included floral offering to the statue of Hegada Thera and observance of determination by the invitees followed by special pooja by Japanese Thera Ven. Asami with their traditional drum beating. There was also a foundation laying for a building at the Aranthalawa Temple premises. At the commemoration meeting held later the North East Chief Adikarana Sanganayaka and Chief Incumbent of Mahawapi Maha Vihara and the Aranthalawa Buddhist Centre Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana Thera said he was pleased to participate at this ceremony even at a crucial moment. He stressed the need of granting compensation to the monks killed in the massacre. He also recalled the dedication of Ven. Hegoda Thera’s service towards the people in a difficult area from the beginning of Galoya development project and about establishing about 40 temples in the area.

The Chief Incumbent of Gemunupura Buddhist Centre and Mahanayaka of Udarata Samgri Sangha Sabha Ven. Girambe Mangala Thera and 300 monks participated in the religious programme. Merits were conferred to the dead monks after the offering of alms. While donation of goods were made to the parents of the dead monks.

School books and equipment were also presented to the students of Aranthalawa Mahinda Rajapaksa School and Nuwaragalathenna school. Parliamentarian Wimalaweera Dissanayaka was the chief invitee while Ampara District Secretary D.M.L. Bandaranayaka, Ampara DIG Ayesha Karunarathna, STF area Commandant Athula Rathnayaka, Acting SP Priyadharshana Herath, SP Dharsana Samansuriya Mahaoya and Divisional Secretary Sudharshana Gunawardena were also present on the occasion.