Preserve religious places - Mahanayaka Thera
 

by Deepal Warnakulasuriya

Malwathu Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thera stressed the necessity to implement a special program to preserve religious places. Mahanayaka Thera said that religious places were built all over the island but the preservation and development of those places has been neglected. He made these observations at the pinnacle unveiling ceremony of Kotuwegedara, Sudharmodaya Pirivena, Matale last week.

The ceremony was also organised coincidentally to wish long life on Matale division Chief Sangha Nayake Ven. Mahalakotuwe Sri Rathnasara Nayaka Thera. Most Ven. Mahanayake Thera also said that the government should take steps to improve the education of rural students in religious knowledge and to develop the Buddhist education centres like Pirivenas and Dhamma schools.

The Ceremony was attended by Most Ven. Mahasangha, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Deputy Highways Minister Rohana Dissanayake, Matale District MP Sujatha Alahakoon. This had been organised under the guidance of Ven. Udupihille Wimalabuddhi Thera of Toronto Buddhist Vihara, Canada. Malwathu Vihara Mahanayaka Thera who also appreciated the valuable service rendered by the Matale Sashanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya Secretary and Sri Sudharmodaya Pirivena Principal Ven. Mahalakotuwe Wimaladhamma Thera in the area.