A Bodhi Pooja ceremony to invoke blessings on veteran actor and artiste Jackson Anthony was held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo under the patronage of the Maha Sangha and with the participation of Highways and Transport and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane yesterday.

This was organized by the Mass Media Ministry under the guidance of Minister Gunawardane.

Jackson Anthony is currently receiving treatment at the ICU of the National Hospital in Colombo following a major accident that took place in Thalawa recently.

Deputy Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Ven.Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera on this occasion said that Jackson Anthony is an instrumental character for the country and the future of the art and media sectors.

His knowledge and experience in multiple sectors are invaluable and such characters are very rare and unique in the country, he said.

Jackson Anthony has won the applause of the Sri Lankans for his talent on the stage, television and cinema. Anthony has won the award for the Best Actor for a record sixteen times.

Ven. Dr. Assaji Thera also recalled how Anthony visited the temple and associated with the Maha Sangha whenever necessary. According to the Thera, Jackson Anthony is well-known by the Sri Lankans in and out of the country as an actor, director, producer, singer, screenwriter, television host, novelist, columnist, lyricist, historian and traveler.

Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and the Chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited Anusha Pelpita, Director General of the Department of Government Information Mohan Samaranayake, heads of state media institutions, artistes, journalists and several others participated on this occasion.