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by Wimal Weeraratne, Sarath Samaranayake and Asela Kurulawansa in Kandy

It was a pleasure to see the present Prime Minister continuing with the peace process initiated by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for which cause, he pledged the unstinted cooperation of the opposition from the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the pinacle of Buddhist veneration, the new Leader of the Opposition, Mahinda Rajapakse said after a pilgrimage to the Dalada Maligawa on Tuesday following assumption of his duties as Opposition Leader.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse was received by the Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne who presented him a tray of flowers and ushered him into the Shrine Room.

After paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, Mr. Rajapakse and his retinue attended a discussion in the Chambers of the Diyawadana Nilame and addressed the gathering. He said that the President as well as the PA Members of Parliament who form a responsible opposition would stand by the Government in its approach to the peace process without merely opposing for the sake of opposition.

The Opposition Leader called on Malwatu Chapter's Chief Sanghanayake Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Thera and the Venerable Anunayaka Theras. He assured that in keeping with the rulers' tradition of consulting the Mahasangha in matters of national importance, he too would follow the advice of the Mahasangha, a principle he had adhered to from his childhood.

The Malwatu Chapter's Registrar Ven.Panditha Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera spoke on behalf of the Mahanayaka Thera and Diyawadana Nilama Neranjan Wijeyeratne.

Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Thilina Tennekone, Dr. Jagath Balasooriya, C. B. Ratnayake and Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake accompanied the Opposition Leader.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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