Former Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been re-elected as the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, securing a decisive majority of 145 votes at the election held this afternoon.
Dela received a total of 195 votes, defeating Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devala, Diminda Bandara Udurawana, who obtained 50 votes and placed second. The third candidate, Basnayake Nilame of the Natha Devala, A.W.A. Bandaranayaka, received 13 votes.
Although eight individuals initially expressed interest in contesting, only three nominations—those of Nilanga Dela, Diminda Bandara Udurawana, and A.W.A. Bandaranayaka—were accepted, as the remaining nominations were not duly seconded.
