Expedite the Anuradhapura Sacred Site Development Plan, giving priority to the Maha Viharaya Development Plan - President

Colombo News 1st: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed officials to expedite the Anuradhapura Sacred Site Development Plan, giving priority to the Maha Viharaya Development Plan.

A discussion was held under the chairmanship of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the Maha Viharaya Development Plan and Anuradhapura Sacred Site Development Plan at the Bomalu Viharaya in Anuradhapura.

The Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero also joined the discussion.

The Atamasthanadhipathi & Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya, Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero said "This land is more scared and historic in comparision to other parts of Sri Lanka. Protecting this land is something we should do not for ourselves but for the future generations of the country."

Meanwhile, Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajothi thero further stated "As Most Ven. Nayaka Thero said we must include these guidlines as well. Even if this doesn't happen under us, I believe that these things will be done according to this plan."

The President Ranil Wickremesinghe responded saying "These plans of activities began in Anuradhapura from the time when Bandaranayake was a minister in 1947. To this date we haven't completed this successfully. We are a Buddhist country. what are we doing? We couldn't even complete the development in the Maha Viharaya. We should be ashamed of ourselves." and "We will bring a law, that includes all of this. We bring this law to come into effect in Anuradhapura. While that is happening, we will create a committee inclusive of all of the relevant officials to carry out these activities. There is another part to this, there is no Executive officer or Administrative Officer for this plan."

Following this discussion, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also visited some shrines connected to the Maha Vihara.