Former Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been re-elected to head the Sri Dalada Maligawa, securing a decisive 145-vote majority in yesterday’s election.
Dela garnered 195 votes, defeating his closest rival, Diminda Bandara Udurawana, who received 50 votes. The third candidate, A.W.A. Bandaranayaka, Basnayake Nilame of Natha Devala, secured just 13 votes.
While eight individuals initially expressed interest in contesting, only three nominations (Dela, Udurawana, and Bandaranayaka) were officially accepted, as the remaining submissions had not been duly seconded.
The victory marks another term for Dela at the helm of the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.