DG Kumarage elected as Kataragama Basnayake Nilame

D.J. Kumarage has been elected as the new Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.

Kumarage, a businessman from Kandy, was elected as the 11th Basnayake Nilame Temeple uncontested at the election held at the District Secretariat of Monaragala this morning.

Four temples, the acting Basnayake Nilame of Kuda Katharagama and Kataragama Devales, 11 Provincial Secretaries of the Monaragala district are eligible to cast their vote to elect the New Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya.

The Government had reportedly sent a special team of officials to see to the conducting of the election as there were media reports that certain powerful individuals are eying this prestigious post.

Kumarage takes over from Yasasiri Kasthuriarachchi who served as acting Basnayake Nilame of the Devalaya after Shashindra Rajapaksa’s tenure expired in March.