Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been elected for a third term as the 19th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, securing 195 votes in the official election held today (07).

He will continue to serve in this prestigious role, as the chief lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic, until the year 2035, completing a 10-year term.

The election was conducted at 2:00 pm at the United Buddhist Centre Auditorium in Kandy, under the provisions of the Vihara Devalagam Ordinance No. 19 of 1931, which grants authority to the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs to oversee the process.

This year’s election saw 7 candidates contesting, with 362 eligible voters participating. 

The electorate included chief incumbents of 157 royal temples across 16 districts of the former Kandyan Kingdom, 170 Divisional Secretaries, 31 Basnayake Nilames, 4 lay custodians of temples and shrines, and the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters.

Pradeep Nilanga Dela has already served 20 years in this role, and his reappointment reflects continued trust in his stewardship of one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred institutions. (Newswire)