On the eve of the New Year 2021, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the public were present at religious ceremonies in Kataragama to seek the blessings of the Triple Gem and the Gods.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa first paid homage to the Kataragama Kiri Vehera and then proceeded to the Devala grounds to pay homage to the historic Ashta Phalabodhiya.
Just prior to the dawn of the New Year, the Prime Minister visited the Kataragama Devalaya and offered fruits at the God Kataragama Shrine and sought blessings.
This annual event is generally held with the participation of large crowds of devotees, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pirith Chanting ceremony was held at the Devalaya grounds under the patronage of Minister Chamal Rajapaksa with the participation of a limited crowd.