Poson launch for Mihintale development plan

Nimal Wijesinghe Additional district group correspondent, Anuradhapura

MIHINTALE: A massive programme is being launched to protect the historic Sacred City of Mihintale under a newly designed development plan headed by Duminda Dissanayake Minister of Petroleum Resources and MP for Anuradhapura district.

This was stated by Dissanayake at a special meeting held recently at the Pradeshiya Sabha auditorium Mihintale with the participation of representatives of various departments, authorities and public organisations in the area.

At the meeting it was further decided to appoint a steering committee to supervise the Sacred City development activities.

Dissanayake said the programme would be inaugurated during the impending Poson festival, Mihintale.

During the season Buddhist flags will be hoisted throughout the Sacred City of Mihintale and all decorations whatever they are in connection with Poson would bear the symbol of a Buddhist flag displayed in them according to the Minister.

Water service, electricity supply, parking facilities, lodging facilities in the sacred area for devotees would be re-arranged and strengthened to avoid numerous difficulties being undergone by the public at present and a systematic guide service will be established for the benefit of local and foreign tourists flowing into Mihintale and suburbs where a large number of historic monuments are found.

Ven. Namalwewe Ratanasara Thera Chief Incumbent, Rajamaha Vihara Mihintale has promised the fullest cooperation of the Maha Sangha in this venture which would ensure the heritage of historic Mihintale to the future generation.