At a time when the entire world is plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, LOLC has taken steps
to support the National Pirith Chanting Ceremony which has been organised to invoke
blessings on citizens of the entire nation. The LOLC Group has taken this initiative to extend
its utmost support for this noble cause at a time of grave need. The National Pirith Chanting
Ceremony which commenced on 18 th November at 6pm at the Independence Square is
scheduled to continue for 21 consecutive days. The Ceremony has been organised by the
Ministry of Defence with the support of the tri-forces and the police on the direction and
guidance of His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Pirith Chanting will be
carried out under the patronage and participation of the Venerable Sri Kalyani Yogashrama
Sanstha Buddhist clergy of Ramanna Maha Nikaya.
The Pirith Chanting takes place to invoke blessings upon all Sri Lankans and to contain the
spread of the virus. The Rathana Suuthra Deshanawa will be chanted throughout this
period. The Rathana Suuthra Deshanawa is a Buddhist discourse which consists about 1000
words that extols the characteristics of the three Rathana in Buddhism; namely, Buddha the
Enlightened One, Dhamma the Teaching, and Sangha the noble community of disciples. The
Gini Piritha and the Jaya Piritha will also be chanted during the 21 days of continuous pirith
chanting. Around 100 Buddhist clergy has joined the ceremony from various parts of the
island in a scheduled manner.
“As we all continue to fight this unprecedented global pandemic through various means and
avenues, there is still an enormous amount of fear deeply entrenched in the hearts and
minds of the people. It is at times like this that we consider the National Pirith Chanting
Ceremony to be a great spiritual intervention to save Sri Lanka from the rapid spread of
Covid-19”, said Mr. Kapila Jayawardena, LOLC Group Managing Director/CEO.