The Royal Kathina Offering Ceremony at Kelaniya Rajamahaviharaya   

                    On 4 November 2016, H.E.Mr. Apichart Chinwanno, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, presided over the Royal Kathina Offering Ceremony graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand to the congregation of monks at Kelaniya Rajamahaviharaya, Sri Lanka.   

                    The Most Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita, the Chief Incumbent of Kelaniya Rajamahaviharaya together with 19 monks performed the religious ceremony. This merit making was attended by the delegation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the officials from the Bureau of the Royal Household and the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo including around 100 Thai and Sri Lankan people.  

                   The Chief Incumbent of Kelaniya Rajamahaviharaya admired and commended His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for His Majesty’s initiatives and works for the better living of the poor people in Thailand. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also supported Buddhism. Therefore, the passing away of His Majesty the late King was a great loss for Thai people and Buddhist all over the world. The Chief Incumbent wished His Majesty’s compassions and benevolences brought His Majesty to nirvana and asked all participants to transfer this merit making by pouring water and chanting for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

                    Kelaniya Rajamahaviharaya is also the home of “Kandula” one of two male elephants presented to the Government of Sri Lanka by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in 2001 upon the request of then President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Kandula is now 26 years old and has good health under the patronage of the Temple.

                    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand started the project of the Royal Kathina Offering Ceremony since 1995 and the Royal Kathina Offering has been organized in Sri Lanka every year.

                                                                                         Royal Thai Embassy, Colombo

                                                                                                   16 November 2016