Govt committed to protect cultural and religious sites - President

Rohan MATHES in Kataragama

Kataragama: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asserted that it was the bounden duty and the responsibility of the Government to protect, preserve and revere the cultural heritage sites and treasures of all communities, cultures and religions, for the knowledge and guidance of the future generations.

President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he addressed a ceremony after declaring open the Kataragama Museum and Visitors Information Centre, constructed on the guidance of the Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Ruhunu Magampathu, the Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University, Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thera and on the recommendations made by a committee appointed by the Minister and a Museum Advisory Board.

This project in the sacred city of Kataragama, a city revered by people of all faiths, ethnicities and cultures, had been funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Netherlands, under the Sri Lanka-Netherlands Cultural Co-operation Programme approved in 2006.

The President pointed out however that our cultural and heritage sites and their treasures have not been conserved and protected in certain spheres. They have been pillaged and pirated overseas sometimes.

Terrorism which has been the scourge of the nation, has also sought to destroy these sites.

“This process should cease. Every community should enjoy their basic democratic right to be domiciled anywhere in the country, sans fear nor suspicion and also the ability to protect their heritage sites. The friendly Netherlands Government has come to help us in this great and charitable venture.

This is a great monument symbolizing the unity and friendship between our two countries,” the President said.He added that the construction of the Museum will enhance further, the projection of Sri Lanka’s renowned and kind hospitality to the world. It will also reflect the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of Sri Lanka.

The Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thera, the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya Sathchinda Kumara Rajapaksa, Ministers Jagath Pushpakumara, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the Netherlands Envoy in Sri Lanka Leoni Cuelenaere also expressed their views.