Sajith calls on religious leaders in Kandy

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Presidential Candidate of the New Democratic Front, Minister Sajith Premadasa visited Kandy this morning to pay homage to religious leaders and obtain blessings for the upcoming Presidential Polls. Presidential Candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa first paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Consequently, the Maha Sangha bestowed their blessings on Minister Sajith Premadasa while chanting Pirith on a special platform. Most Venerable Vedaruwe Upali Anunahimi, Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect contemplated on late Ranasinghe Premadasa's Gam Udawa program during minister Sajith Premadasa's visit to Kandy. The Thero noted that the significance of "Gam Udawa" was that a model of Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, a model of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a model of the Mahinyanganaya Chaithya were built in Monaragala. Thero added that "Gam Udawa" moved from one area to another carrying Buddhist symbols and it was clear that late Ranasinghe Premadasa's journey was based on religion. Thero went on to note that Minister Sajith Premadasa was the same and the Maha Sangha bestows their blessing upon him. According to the Thero, combining administration with religion was important. Subsequently, the Minister Sajith Premadasa arrived at the Malwatte Maha Viharaya and obtained blessings from the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero and Anunayake, Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladamma Thero. Then the Presidential Candidate of the New Democratic Front, Minister Sajith Premadasa visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and obtained the blessings from the Maha Sangha including the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thero. Journalist: When will you announce your policy statement? Sajith Premadasa responded that his policy statement was not a mere bulk of papers and it is a social agreement he forms with the people of the country. He added that it would be presented all in good time. Journalist: We saw in the past few days how the Joint Opposition raised various accusations against you. What is your opinion about that? Minister Sajith Premadasa noted that he has no hatred or grudge against them and he wishes them well being. Journalist: They are insulting you based on certain things you say. Sajith Premadasa responded that nobody is perfect and everyone tends to make mistakes. He noted that those open insults reveal that media freedom exists in the country. He questioned whether those who criticized him suffered the same fate as Keith Noir, Upali Tennakoon or Prageeth Eknaligoda. Minister Sajith Premadasa then visited the Hirikaduwa Vidyasagara Pirivena in Menikhinna and obtained blessings from the Mahanayake of the Ramanya Sect, Most Venerable Napane Premasiri Thero. Consequently, the Presidential Candidate arrived at the Poththugal Viharaya in Kandy and met with the Acting Mahanayake of the Amarapura Maha Sect, Pothgul Viaharadipathi, Most Venerable Yatinuwara Sumana Thero and engaged in a friendly conversation. Minister Sajith Premadasa visited several multi-religious institutions including the Meera Makkam Mosque in Kandy and the Sella Vinayagam Kovil in Katukelle to obtain blessings. Minister then visited the Bishop's House in Kandy and obtained blessings from the Bishop of Kandy, Viyani Fernando for the upcoming Presidential Polls.