15th Commemoration pinkama-victims of Dalada Maligawa bomb attack

15th Commemoration pinkama: victims of Dalada Maligawa bomb attack remembered

15th commemoration pinkama in remembrance of those who passed away at Sri Dalada Maligawa bomb attack in 1998 was held at London Buddhist Vihara on Saturday 26th January 2013. This was organised for the continuous 15th year by Karuna Basnayaka and now has been handed over to Janaka Alahapperuma, President, British Sri Lankan Forum.

25th January 1998, suicide carders of the LTTE exploded massive truck bomb at the entrance of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, killing 23 persons including several children, and injuring peaceful innocent civilians, who were on their way to the holy temple that morning. Massacre of 31 Buddhist monks at Aranthalawa, killing of Most Ven Dimbulagala Seelalankara Nayaka Thero, massacre of 146 devotees who observed sil at Sri Maha Bodhi terrorist attack in Anuradhapura, thousands of brave Ranaviruvos those who have sacrificed their valuable lives for eradicating terrorism and every citizen perished during the thirty years of brutal war were remembered and bestow merits for them to attain Nibbhana in future lives.

During the Buddha pooja, Ven Konwewa Ariyaratana thero delivered a sermon outlining the tragic events on the day of the Sri Maha Bodhi massacre quoting an eye witness account given by his father who himself was a devotee at the place on that unfortunate day. Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka thero, Head of the London Bddhist Vihara outlined the importance of this pinkama and to repay our gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives to save our nation.

Dr M.B.Ranatunga a leading champion of helping poorest of the poor, helpless and homeless in Sri Lanka delivered the key note speech and explained the development and progress of resettlement of evicted people by terrorists in North and East in their original places. Updated project progress reports were shown by videos.

Finally Janaka Alahapperuma delivered the vote of thanks, thanking all the contributors and participants for dedicating their time and energy and attending the pinkama to make it success. He also thanked Mr Karuna Basnayake, who pioneered this event 15 years ago and continued to commemorate on a yearly basis despite various challengers. He was unable to attend as he was indisposed. All the monks and the laity who attended wished him speedy recovery and long life.

Reported by Sewwandi Wijesekera
Photography by ©Nimal Navaratne