Tirupati:
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati for the success of his nation's cricket team in the World Cup final against India in Mumbai on Saturday.
Temple sources said that Rajapaksa, after an overnight stay, would proceed to Mumbai on Saturday to watch the final match at the Wankhede stadium.
After his puja, Rajapaksa was presented with a sacred silk cloth and prasadams, while priests invoked divine blessings upon him, they said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the shrine, Rajapaksa said this was his fourth visit to the shrine over the years.
"I prayed for the success of Sri Lankan team as you people pray for the success of your team in the final," he said.
Rajapaksa arrived at nearby Renigunta airport by a special Sri Lankan aircraft at 4 pm and reached the hills by road.
The Sri Lankan president had earlier visited the hill shrine on October 31, 2009, temple sources added.
Temple sources said that Rajapaksa, after an overnight stay, would proceed to Mumbai on Saturday to watch the final match at the Wankhede stadium.
After his puja, Rajapaksa was presented with a sacred silk cloth and prasadams, while priests invoked divine blessings upon him, they said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the shrine, Rajapaksa said this was his fourth visit to the shrine over the years.
"I prayed for the success of Sri Lankan team as you people pray for the success of your team in the final," he said.
Rajapaksa arrived at nearby Renigunta airport by a special Sri Lankan aircraft at 4 pm and reached the hills by road.
The Sri Lankan president had earlier visited the hill shrine on October 31, 2009, temple sources added.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
