Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa said that it was a tremendous joy to receive blessings from the Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the first day of a new year.

“We went to Katharagama at the dawn of the new year to participate in religious activities to commemorate Madam Sirima Bandaranaike. Former President Rajapaksa came to Kirivehera while a group of SLFP ministers including Duminda Dissanayake and I were engaging in religious activities. We met him again at Kataragama devala premises. That was when he blessed me by touching my head”, said Zoysa.

Rajapaksa participated in religious activities that took place in Kataragama devala for the New Year. Rajapaksa blessed Zoysa by touching his head during ceremony.