President hands over Myanmar crest gem to Mihintale Viharadhipathi today

The crest gem donated by a Myanmar Buddhist delegation to adorn the pinnacle of the Mihintale (Sela) Cetiya will be handed over to Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipati Ven Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana Nayake Thera by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony at Temple Trees today. A communique issued by the President’s Media Division said the crest gem which is a very rare and valuable stone will thereafter be taken to Mihintale in a special motorcade from Colombo.

The motorcade will stop over at the Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya today, Kurunegala Bauddhaloka Pirivena on May 25 Padeniya Raja Maha Viharaya on May 26, Anuradhapura Uda Maluwa Viharaya, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Premises and Ruwanweli Seya premises on May 27 before arriving at the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya on May 28. The public will be given an opportunity to visit these locations and pay homage to the crest gem.

They will also be allowed to line up along the route to pay homage as well. Once the crest gem is brought to Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya devotees would be able to pay homage to it until June 20 before it is crowned atop the Pinnacle of the Mihintale (Sela) Cetiya on Poson Poya day