Sri Lanka President calls for preservation of historic religious sites

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed officials to take measures to preserve ancient temples in the country with a view to safeguard these invaluable national heritages for the future generations.
President Rajapaksa held a discussion with the relevant Ministers, senior officials and Buddhist clergy on Monday (May 31) at Temple Trees on short term and long term plans to develop the historic sites as tourist attractions while preserving their historic and sacred values.

The President instructed the officials to initiate measures to develop Mahamevna Uyana in Anuradhapura as a tourist attraction under the Uruma Aruna programme of Mahinda Chinthana after initial cleaning and other preparations are completed for the upcoming Poson festival.
The President has told the officials that a sound coordinating mechanism between officials of various government bodies should be in place for the general maintenance of the area.
Currently 20 projects are under consideration for development under the Uruma Aruna programme.
Those who were present at the discussions included Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Dr Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera, Chief incumbent of Ruwanveliseya, Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, Chief incumbent of Lankaramaya, Ven Relapanawe Dhammajyothi Thera, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa and Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Deputy Minister M K D S Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and senior officials of the ministries of Buddha Sasana, Housing and Construction and Department of Archaeology.
(Pictures by Sudath Silva)