President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid homage to the sacred tooth relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and received blessings yesterday morning. On his arrival at the Sri Dalada Maligawa President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was received and welcomed by Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake near the Pattirippuwa (Octagon).Thereafter he was received at the Maligawa ‘Wahalkada’main gate by Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela according to tradition and conducted to the inner chamber of the Maligawa. People had gathered in their thousands around the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises to greet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.The President entered the Maligawa precincts to the chanting of ‘Sadhu Sadhu’ by devotees gathered around the Maligawa and was greeted by the Basnayake Nilames of the four main devalayas and Pitisara devalayas.

After paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and exiting the Maligawa premises, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa mingled with the jubilant crowds waiting outside and exchanged pleasantries with them.UPFA General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera, NCP Governor Sarath Ekanayake, and MPs Nimal Siripala de Silva, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Dr Sarath Amunugame, Bandula Gunawardena, Douglas Devananda, Dilum Amunugama, Ananda Aluthgamage, Wijayedasa Rajapaksha and Lohan Ratwatte were present.