Anagarika Dharmapala Day on September 17.

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

The Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Sangamaya will organise an islandwide program in collaboration with the Indian Maha Bodhi Sangamaya to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala in September 2014.

The celebrations at national level could be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Colombo Maha Bodhi headquarters. It has been decided to declare September 17 as the "Anagarika Dharmapala Day."

The aim of commemorative ceremony is to educate society on the Anagarika Dharmapala policies. It has also been decided to ordain 150 boys in recognition of his service to Buddha Sasana.

He saved the Buddha Gaya in India where the Gauthama Buddha attained Enlightenment 2,600 years ago, from anti-Buddhist forces and safeguarded it for Buddhists the world over, said K. Dhammadassi Nayaka Thera, the chief patron of the Kurunegala District Sunday Dhamma schools at a meeting of the Dhamma school Principals in the Kurunegala district at Bingiriya recently.

The Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs on the instruction of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has pledged every assistance to make the event a success.