President lauds commitment of Maha Sangha

Rohan Mathes

President Mahinda Rajapaksa re-iterates there is absolute freedom of worship, for anyone to follow any religion, at his/her discretion.

President Rajapaksa made this re-iteration at Temple Trees last Saturday, at a presentation of 180 gold-plated, multi-dimensional Buddha statues, costing Rs. 40 millon jointly by the Governments of Hong Kong and South Korea, at Temple Trees last Saturday. The Rev. N.T. Yung made the presentation to the President.

The President also noted that all the necessary facilities were also provided to develop and uplift places of worship of all religions.

President Rajapaksa lauded the commitment of the Maha Sanga in protecting Buddhism in the country and pointed out that Buddhism had helped in establishing strong links between the Buddhist nations, including South Korea, and this event will undoubtedly further strengthen these ties. He reminisced and thanked the Korean Government for their unstinted aid for the economic development of the country, inclusive of the investment of Korean business in Sri Lanka and the allocation of 15,000 job opportunities for Sri Lankans in Korea.

The statues are to be distributed to Temples islandwide, to symbolise peace and unity in Sri Lanka, by the Korean Government.

Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, a 95-member Korean delegation and members of the Maha Sangha participated at the ceremony which included a special Mal Pahan Pooja at Temple Trees.