ALL NIGHT PARTITTA CHANTING TO BLESS EXTENSION TO KINGSBURY TEMPLE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TISSA MADAWELA

Aggamahapandita Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero of the UK organised an all night pirith chanting ceremony to bless the new extension to the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre, on Saturday 3rd September 2016 . The SSIBC celebrated a quarter of a century of service to the Buddhist Community in the UK last year. During this period numerous changes were made to the Temple to serve the ever expanding number of devotees using its facilities. This still was not sufficient and Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Thero embarked on a new extension to enlarge the auditorium in April this year. The plan was drawn by the well known architect Mr Marlan Ranasinghe and the contract was finally awarded to Lanka Leisure Limited, Design and Building contractors.The Bod

Over 25 members of the Maha Sangha from Sri Lanka , France and the UK participated in the pirith ceremony. Venerable (Dr) Akuretiye Nanda Sangha Nayaka Thero of the Western Province and Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero who were assisting Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Thero at the inception of the Temple arrived from Sri Lanka to honour the occasion. The spectacular Pirith Mandapaya, in the shape of the Octagon of the Sri Dalada Maligawa was constructed by Mr Jagath Ranasinghe and his associates.

Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Nayaka Thero thanked the Maha Sangha present for their kind participation. He also thanked the devotees and well wishers of the SSIBC who generously contributed to the completion of the project. He was proud to announce that without making a special appeal for funds for the building, people seeing the building progressing, voluntarily contributed to make this project a success. He conveyed his whole hearted thanks to all of them.

Venerable Mrungasyaye Gnaniswara Nayaka Thero of France delivered the Anusasana, Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero of the London Buddhist Vihare led the observance of the five precepts. The Paritta chanting was led by Akurala Samitha Nayaka Thero. Among the other members of the Maha Sangha who particvipated in the Pirith ceremony were Ven. (Dr) Handu Pelpola Nayaka Thero, Ven. Witharandeniye Kassapa Nayaka Tero, Ven. Keppitiyagoda Gunawansa Nayaka Thero, Ven. Makure Mangala Nayaka Thero, Ven. Mapalagama Soratha Nayaka Thero , Ven. Dediyawalaala Nayaka Thero, Ven. Matugama Palitha Nayaka Thero, Ven. Thawalama Bandula Thero, Ven. Sugathananda Thero, Ven. Wandurambe Kassapa Nayaka Thero. Mr and Mrs Marlan Ranasighe and family presented robes brought from Sri Lanka as pirikara to all the monks participating to mark the successful completion of the building project, while other devotees also presented pirikara after the morning Dana. Over 150 devotees remained the whole night. .

Her Excellency Amari Wijewardene, High Commissioner of Sri Lana graced the occasion. The distinguioshed guests present included, Mr Mano Warnapala, Counsellor and other High Commission Officials , Mr M.P. Ruwan Kumara, Chief Operations Officer , Bank of Ceylon, Councillor Kareema Marikkar of Harrow and Dr Zimar Sivardeen and Mr Anthony Kelley.

On Sunday 4thevening a special Bodhi Pujava was conducted by Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka before a large gathering.