SL President AKD Visits Kandy: Disaster Briefing and New Year Blessings at Sacred Sites
By Lions Roar News National Desk
KANDY, SRI LANKA (January 1, 2026) — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake began the first day of 2026 with a high-profile visit to the hill capital, seeking blessings at the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) and briefing the nation’s highest religious leaders on ongoing disaster recovery efforts.
Paying Homage at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The President arrived at the Sri Dalada Maligawa early this morning to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic. After performing religious observances, he received New Year blessings and spent time engaging in cordial conversations with devotees gathered at the temple. According to the President’s Office, the visit was both a spiritual start to the year and an opportunity to connect directly with the public.
Consultation with the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters
Following his visit to the Maligawa, President Dissanayake called on the Mahanayake and Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters to provide a detailed update on the government’s response to the catastrophic natural disasters of late 2025.
I. Meeting with the Malwathu Chapter
The President first visited the Malwathu Maha Vihara to meet the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero.
- Briefing: The President detailed the specific measures being implemented to rehabilitate areas devastated by Cyclone Ditwah.
- Blessings: Seth Pirith was chanted by the Maha Sangha, led by the Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, to invoke blessings on the President’s leadership.
- Well-being: The President also visited the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thero, to inquire after his health.
II. Meeting with the Asgiri Chapter
The President then proceeded to the Asgiri Maha Vihara for an audience with the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero.
- Support for Governance: The Asgiri Mahanayake Thero expressed his best wishes for the Government’s program, urging a continuation of efforts toward building a prosperous nation with “renewed strength and determination.”
- Discussion: The President also held a brief discussion with the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Anunayake Thero.
A Unified Front for National Recovery
During all these meetings, the President emphasized that the government is prioritizing the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” initiative to address the immense challenges posed by recent floods and storms. The Maha Sangha collectively extended their blessings, endorsing the government’s commitment to the welfare of affected citizens.
