President directs more facilities for Dambadiva pilgrims

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday directed relevant officials to expedite reconstruction work on the Sri Lanka Viharaya and Dutugemunu Visharama Sala in Lumbini, India to cater to the increasing number of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting India (Dambadiva).

The President issued this directive when he met members of the Lumbini Sri Lanka Viharaya Reconstruction Committee at Temple Trees to review the progress of reconstruction work.

The President who said that Rs. 20 million had been already approved for the reconstruction, requested Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to review the progress of work on these projects and submit an early report to him.

The President observed that reconstruction work on the Sri Lanka Viharaya and Dutugamunu Vishrama Sala started 15 years ago and had still not been completed and it was progressing only at snail’s pace.

The Government had therefore given priority for completing the work soon.

Sri Lanka Viharaya reconstruction is estimated to cost Rs. 67 million and the Dutugemunu Vishrama Sala Rs. 17 million.

‘It was the duty of all to protect and safeguard our heritage and identity and bequeath them intact to the future generation,” the President emphasised and added that the Government had initiated work to promote a religious awakening by taking matters relating to all religious under a single ministry.

Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs Ven. Getamanne Gunananda Thera, Ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris and Felix Perera, Deputy Minister, Neomal Perera, President Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and Religious Affairs Moral Upliftment Ministry Secretary A.M. Herath attended the meeting.