July 18, Kataragama: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated the renovated "Wahalkada", the main entrance of Kataragama Kiri Vehera Raja Maha Viharaya on the Sella Kataragama Road in the deep south Hambanthota district yesterday.

Since the days of King Dutugemunu a tradition of renovating the entrance every year has been inexistence. However, the tradition has vanished in the recent history and this is the first time a leader of the state renovated the entrance to the sacred city reviving the old tradition.

Here President Rajapaksa is seen offering the traditional tree branch to an elephant.

Chief Incumbent Kataragama Kiri Vehera and Chancellor of Uwa University Ven Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Thera, Ministers Susil Premajayantha and Jagath Pushpakumara, and Chief Minister of Uwa Province and Kataragama Basnayaka Nilame Shashendra Rajapaksa accompanied the President.

(Pictures by Sudath Silva)