Nilanga Dela elected Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa for third time

By Shane Seneviratne   

Former Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela who received 195 votes was elected as Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa by a majority of 145 votes against Basnayaka Nilame of Kataragama Devala Duminda Bandara Udurawana who received 50 votes and came second at the election held yesterday afternoon.    

Other rival candidate Basnayake Nilame of Natha Devala A.W.A.Bandaranayaka received only 13 votes.   
Only three candidates were eligible to contest the Election of Diyawadana Nilame.   

Eight candidates were expected to contest the election but the nominations of only former Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devala Duminda Bandara Udurawana and Basnayake Nilame of Natha Devala A.W.A. Bandaranayaka had been accepted.   

The nominations of others had not been duly seconded.   

The election was held under the supervision of Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.   

Mahanayake Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, Chief Incumbents of 156 Rajamaha Viharas in the Kandyan Kingdom, Basnayake Nilames of 29 Devalas and 75 Divisional Secretaries were eligible to vote.