39th Arantalawa commemoration marked with alms giving for 500 monks

The 39th anniversary commemoration ceremony and religious observance marking the killing of 31 monks, including Ven. Hegoda Sri Indrasara Thero, by LTTE terrorists on June 2, 1987 at Arantalawa, was held today (02) in a grand manner at the Arantalawa International Buddhist Centre.

The series of religious events was organized under the leadership of Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of the North and East Peace Jurisdiction, Chief Incumbent of Ampara Mahawapi Vihara, and Head of the Arantalawa International Buddhist Centre.

During a night-long pirith chanting ceremony held yesterday (01), sacred relic caskets were brought to the pavilion by Major General Dimuth Bandara, Commander of the 24th Division of the Sri Lanka Army, while the sacred Pirit scripture was brought by Assistant Superintendent of Police Bandara Dissanayake.

The second day of commemorations began this morning (02) with floral tributes to the statue of Ven. Hegoda Sri Indrasara Thero.

This was followed by religious chanting at the ongoing Arantalawa Maha Seya construction site, after which the main ceremonial event commenced.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of several senior monks, including the Supreme Mahanayake of the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Murthi Thero, Mahanayake of the Udarata Amarapura Samasri Sangha Sabha Ven. Girambe Mangala Thero, member of the Asgiriya Chapter’s governing body Ven. Mahiyangana Puran Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkhita Thero, and Senior Professor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Director of Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena Ven. Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero.

A deeply emotional moment occurred when Ven. Andaupalatha Buddhasara Thero and Ven. Hanguranketha Punnasara Thero—who survived the massacre with severe injuries—attended the event.

Following the ceremony, a grand almsgiving offering food to 500 members of the Maha Sangha was held under the coordination of Ven. Hipankande Saddhasila Thero, Deputy Chief of the Amarapura Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya.

As part of the programme, office equipment was also distributed to 40 pirivenas in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

The event was attended by senior police officials, including Ampara Deputy Inspector General of Police Sujith Wedamulla, Ampara Division SSP Priyantha Bandara Kasthuriarachchi, Assistant Superintendent of Police Bandara Dissanayake, Maha Oya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sugath Lasantha, along with a large number of state officials and local residents.