Helena Wijewardene:

150th birth anniversary tomorrow

The members of the Wijewardene family have organised an alms-giving at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on 22nd of June to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of late Helena Wijewardene, Lamathani of Sedawatte Walauwa, Sedawatte.

The late Helena Wijewardene, famed as a Buddhist philanthropist, is best known for helping restore the Kelaniya Viharaya to its original glory and starting the annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perehera in 1927 which continues to this date.

The alms-giving will begin at 10.30 a.m. on June 22. The religious ceremony is organized under the guidance of Ven Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkitha Nayaka Thero, Chief Priest of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

President of the Kelaniya temple Dayaka Sabha, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chief Basnayake Nilame, Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Dhammika Attygalle, State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene and other relatives will attend the ceremony.