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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Nilwala Gangarohana Pooja begins today by A.W. Gunawardhana, Matara Central Correspondent The Gangarohana Pooja Matara includes a ceremony where a casket containing sacred relics and Pirivena Poth Vahanse are scheduled to be conducted in procession from Weherahena Purana Viharaya Kekandura to Godapitiya Raja Maha Vihara, Akuressa. The procession will leave Weherahena today December 5 at 2.00 pm. From Godapitiya Raja Maha Viharaya the procession will leave for 'Senada Vehera' at Balakawala and on reaching the bank of the river Nilwala the inaugural ceremony will commence under the guidance and participation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Ports Civil Aviation and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Cultural and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath will join him. Others expected at the inaugural ceremony are Chief Minister (SPC) Shan Wijelal de Silva, Deputy Ministers Dilan Perera and Daya Sri Tissera. At 8.30 pm at the conclusion of religious rites 'Gangarohana Poojawa (seven (7) day Pirith chanting ceremony) will begin on a floating deck in the river Nilawla. The second, third, fourth, fifth nights will be spent respectively at Kadduwa, Welletota, Alawattagoda, Bandaththara, Bridges and the 6th night at Weragampitiya Ferry and the 7th night at Mahanama Bridge in Matara town. The concluding ceremony will be held at Matara Bodiya prrecincts. `Nilwala Harasara', is a series of felicitations to hail President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the completion of 10 years in office. The `felicitation functions are organised by the `Nilwala Foundation' guided by Matara district MP, Ports Civil Aviation and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The functions of felicitations will begin with a `Gangarohana Pooja' at the Nilwala river. A Ruhunu sports ceremony organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry, Ruhunu cultural festival organised by the National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry and an Ayurveda medi clinic organised by the Indigenous Health Ministry will be held throughout the week. A photography exhibition by the Media Ministry, an exhibition by the three forces and the police will also be arranged. The organisers further said that the ceremony will also include a special Information Technology exhibition for school children and kids. Ten (10) persons who brought respect to Matara will also be felicitated with 'Ruhunu Prathibha Awards' at the final day of the ceremony where President Kumaratunga is due to address a public rally in Matara. Concurrently with the main ceremony in Matara, each electorate of the district will have ceremonies to felicitate the President under the directions of Matara District Government Agent. |
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