Deal firmly with those who ruin our culture - Thera

MATARA: "We should take bold measures against artistes, film directors or sundry persons who try to destroy culture by distorting our noble concepts of motherhood, fatherhood or love for children for the sake of material gains, said Ven. Ehelape Yathiratana thera, Lekakhadhikari, Matara Sasanarakshaka Pradesheeya Mandalaya. The thera was delivering an anusasana at the conclusion of a one day workshop for Pradesheeya sabha librarians in the Matara district.

The Maha Sangha and the public should thank Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for performing his duties and responsibilities well without succumbing to outside forces, the Thera said.

The workshop was organised by the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry under its programme of improving rural libraries and promoting the reading habit among the rural populace. 'A library is an institution which provided knowledge to the people. Although there is a saying that "reading helps make a complete man" currently the interest in reading has waned among the people.'

Therefore Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena's move to revive the reading habit among people by improving the rural library network should be highly appreciated. He also thanked the Minister for his initiatives to improve Kalayatanayas which would enable rural folk to appreciate the fine arts.

Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said it is the librarians' duty to keep all books available in their libraries at the disposal of readers. Kalayatanayas played a key role in producing artistes of fame. Everyone should assist in the effort to protect and safeguard our Culture and heritage through the promotion of rural Kalayatanayas.

Librarian, Kamburupitiya Public Library Anula Samarasekera also spoke.

The Minister also distributed certificates among librarians who had completed their training, musical instruments among several Kalayatanayas in the district and sets of books among 52 libraries covering each Pradesheeya Sabha area in this district.