'A society with moral values for the occurrence of a
miracle':
Buddhasasana Ministry will cater to all religions
Priyanka KURUGALA
The Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, under the theme "A
society with moral values for the occurrence of a miracle," has
organized an exhibition to cater to all religions, to mark the Deyata
Kirula National Exhibition, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry
Secretary Cassian Herath said.
For the development and renovation of all religious places of worship
in the Anuradhapura District, the government has spent a sum of Rs 250
million during the past year to mark the Deyata Kirula, he said.
Nearly 162 Dhamma schools have been included in the Anuradhapura
District.
Along with these programmes, a sum of Rs 66 million has been spent to
develop Atamasthanas too.
The ministry has also spent Rs 60 million for development projects of
Dhamma schools in the Anuradhapura area.
To mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi, the ministry has launched
a programme to develop 2600 Dhamma schools throughout the country.
The ministry has launched many other activities for the development
of other religious schools such as Hindu, Catholic, Christian and
Muslim.
Another programme, the National Drug Prevention Unit under the
Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, has prohibited the use of
liquor as well as smoking in the premises of the Deyata Kirula
exhibition.
Forty disabled security services officers have been allocated with
the task of enforcing the prohibition.
Along with the Deyata Kirula development projects, the government has
constructed a Sangawasa in Tantirimale.
It was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa parallel to the Deyata
Kirula Development project.
The Buddhist Affairs Coordinating officers had been provided with 22
computers, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandra Prema Gamage
said, adding that all religious cultures could be witnessed under one
roof at the exhibition.
Rare books relevant to each religion too could be purchased at the
Deyata Kirula Exhibition, the Commissioner said.
This programme has been launched under the directions of Prime
Minister D M Jayaratna and and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy
Minister M K A D S Gunawardana, he said.
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