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| Saturday, 1 May 2004 |
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Buddhist museum to be built adjoining Dalada Maligawa by Nadira Gunatilleke A Buddhist museum will be built adjoining the Sri Dalada Maligawa said Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath. The Minister said arrangements will be made to revise all ongoing development programs and continue them. "Deeghavapi will be preserved and preservation work of the Ruwanweli Mahaseya will also start soon," he said addressing ministry employees and media personnel after assuming duties at his ministry 8th floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla yesterday. "We lost our identity during the past and it should be re-established. "We have to admire our local products and our indigenous values. During the past the culture of this country faced a rapid downfall. The society should go forward through culture," the Minister said. The UPFA has strand the importance of culture an introduced it as the fourth policy of its five principles, Herath said. "We are already divided into different parties according to caste, race and social classes. When we are divided, we will not be able to achieve development. When uniting a divided society and cultivating national unity, culture places an important role. We have to try to build a Sri Lankan culture while securing our cultural identities. We have to eradicate racial differences from childhood. We have to join with the world while keeping our identity," Herath said. "Ministerial posts are not accessories or privileges. They are challenges put before us by the people. We have to treat it as a responsibility. Bribery and corruption, rejected by society, should not be connected with ministry activities. We have to forget the past, learn from it and walk forward with an accurate focus," the Minister said. Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Deputy Minister Samantha Vidyarathne said they took over the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry when there is a demand for a major change in the country. Culture has to play a vital role when re-building all ruined sectors in the country. "We will secure the cultural identity of all and achieve socio-economic and cultural development in the country. When other ministries are engaged in achieving substantial development in the country we will work towards achieving cultural development," Vidyarathne said. "We need everyone's contribution to achieve our goals. We need to change when necessary to achieve the transformation. We need to be united and walk forward," he said. Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Secretary A.P.A. Gunasekara, former Secretary V.K. Nanayakkara and Additional Secretary K.K.W. Tillakasiri also spoke. Siri Saman Wijetunga presented a book `Wallipuram Gold Plate and Our Heritage' authored by him to the Minister. |
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