The Rajapaksa couple was received by TTD joint EO V. Veerabrahmam and chief vigilance and security officer Gopinath Jatti
TIRUPATI: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his spouse Shiranthi Rajapaksa prayed at the famed hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala on Friday. The two were given a warm welcome at Mahadwaram on their arrival.
The Rajapaksa couple was received by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) joint executive officer (EO) V. Veerabrahmam and chief vigilance and security officer Gopinath Jatti. The VIPs were escorted into the sanctum sanctorum, where they paid their obeisance to the presiding deity.
Post darshan, Tirumala chief priest honoured Mahinda Rajapaksa with Sesha Vastram of the deity. Vedic pandits rendered for them Vedasirvachanam at Ranganayakula Mandapam inside the main temple. The couple was offered theertha prasadams and a laminated photo of Lord Balaji.
Deputy chief minister K. Narayana Swamy, deputed as special representative of state government, coordinated the Lankan Premier's visit. Tirupati Urban Superintendent of police Ch. Venkatappala Naidu, Tirumala Temple EO Ramesh Babu and others were present.
The Srilankan PM had last visited the hill shrine in February last year.
