The Royal Kathina Ceremonyat Dipadutthamarama Purana Thai Raja Maha Viharaya, Colombo

The Royal Thai Embassy organized the Royal Kathina Offering Ceremony at Dipadutthamarama Raja Maha Viharaya, Colombo, on 1 November 2017 during 10.00 – 11.30 hrs.

The Royal Kathina Offering Ceremony was presided over by H.E.Mrs.Busaya Mathelin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The Kathina was graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the congregation of monks at Dipadutthamarama Raja Maha Viharaya, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

               The ceremony including the alms giving to 25 monks ended around 11.30 hrs. On this occasion, the Royal donation to the temple was 20,000Baht,                 the donation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand 300,000 Baht and the donation from Thai and Sri Lankan communities 13,260 Baht.                     The total donation was thus 333,260 Baht (around 1,537,177 Sri Lankan Rupees).

The Dipadutthamarama Raja Maha Viharaya is a testament to the close relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka. The Thai Prince who took on the ordination name of Phra Chinaworawong, was the chief-incumbent of the temple during 1905-1910. Phra Chinaworawong designed and built the Rattana Chedi of which the pinnacle was bestowed by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) of Thailand.    

               The temple also holds particular importance for Thai Buddhists since several Thai monarchs and members of the Thai Royal family have visited this temple. This includes His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII), His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol.

                                                                   Royal Thai Embassy,

                                                                      2 November 2017