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All must help PM to achieve peace - Asgiri Maha Nayake Thera

by Kandy District Group Correspondent

As a result of the peace process initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, the people are living happily today. All communities in this country must unite and help the Prime Minister in his sincere endeavour to achieve peace, said the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter Most. Ven. Udugama Buddharakkita Maha Nayaka Thera.

He was delivering an anusasana at a religious ceremony held at Saliyala Purana Rajamahaviharaya, Gampola on Sunday.

The Ven.Nayaka Thera stated that the efforts of the President to usher in peace did not succeed and that he wished the dedicated efforts of the Prime Minister to solve the 20-year-long problem would succeed ushering in peace and stability to the country.

The Ven. Nayaka Thera also said that recently the Chief Prelates of the three Chapters of the Maha Sangha handed over a memorandum to the Japanese Government soliciting support for the ongoing Peace Process and that the Japanese Government assured its full cooperation for the same.

Addressing the gathering, the Buddhasasana, Justice, Legal Reform and National Integrity Minister W.J.M.Lokubandara stated that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, in his recent call on Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Nayaka Thera has categorically assured the Ven.Nayaka Thera that he is totally against the LTTE concept of a traditional homeland and that it had been the Prime Minister's persistent stand both locally as well as internationally.

While criticising the large scale existence of liquor shops, the Minister pointed out that the present Government has not given a single liquor licence, since it came to power. The Minister also emphasised the need to give a due place to Dhamma Education and said that he will take steps to recognise the Dhamma School Certificate as an additional qualification to enter University.

Co-operative Minister A.R.M. Abdul Cader said that though he is not a Buddhist he always lived with the Sinhala Buddhists and always sought the guidance of Mahanayaka Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters. He said that the deproscription of the LTTE must be considered only after commencing negotiations for a lasting peace.

People's Alliance General Secretary MP D.M.Jayaratne also addressed the gathering.

The ceremony included an alms giving to 1000 members of the Mahasangha. The laying of a foundation stone for the construction of a canopy over the sleeping position statue of Buddha was performed by the Asgiriya Maha Nayaka Thera. 

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