President attends final grand procession of 2026 Kataragama Esala PeraheraPosted by Onlanka News Desk on July 30, 2026 - 7:55 amPresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the final grand procession of the 2026 Esala Perahera of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya on Wednesday night (July 29), joining thousands of devotees to witness the sacred event. Earlier in the day, the President visited the historic Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, where he met the Chief Sanghanayaka of Ruhunu Magampattuwa and Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, and received his blessings. The President later joined devotees to witness the Perahera procession. He expressed appreciation to the Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya for his role in preserving the tradition and also thanked the newly appointed Basnayake Nilame and everyone involved in organising this year’s festival. During the event, President Dissanayake presented the official declaration marking the conclusion of the Perahera to the Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera.