Seruwawila temple, a World Heritage site

Thushara Kaluarachchi

SERUWAWILA: The Historic Seruwawila Temple was declared a World Heritage site through UNESCO, at a preliminary discussion which took place yesterday at the Ministry of Co-operatives and Co-operative Development on the initiative of Minister of Co-operatives and Co-operative Development and Deputy Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, M. Najeeb Abdul Majeed at the request of Chief Priest, Ven. Seruwawila Saranakitti and the Patron of the Board of Trustee, Ven. Munwatte Mettarama.

At the meeting, the Chief Priest of the temple, Ven. Saranakitti, emphasised the importance of declaring this temple, which was built in 260 B.C., as a World Heritage through UNESCO due to its Archaeological value. The Ven. Thera also pointed out that the Minister's leading role in this process will further help strengthen communal harmony and peace of the country.

The Minister' stressed the Archaeological value of the temple and commended the temple for associating with the various religious communities in the area and the helpful role it plays in the community development programme.

Archaeological Commissioner, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, Director of the National Archives and the Director of the National Physical Planning also participated.