Mahatma Gandhi Int’l Centre for Matale

MOHAMMED NAALIR

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane laid the foundation stone for the proposed Sri Lanka-India Friendship Mahatma Gandhi International Memorial Centre at Matale.

The event was chaired by Urban Development Minister Rohana Dissanayake.

Construction work on the Centre will be carried out by the National Physical Planning Department jointly with the Urban Development Authority, Ministry sources said. Ministry sources added that the steps to construct this international centre was taken by Urban Development Minister Rohana Dissanayake under the Mahinda Chinthana National concept following a request made by Matale Mahatma Gandhi Sabawa President S. Chandrasekaran.

The assistance of India will also be obtained in the construction process, sources added. Accordingly, the Mahatma Gandhi International Centre will comprise an Information Centre and a fully equipped library.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said after laying the foundation stone that the international centre is to be constructed in Matale as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi as he had visited Matale during his visit to Sri Lanka.

Urban Development Minister Rohana Dissanayake said that through the establishment of Matale Mahatma Gandhi International Centre the younger generation will be able to learn a lot about the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his achievements in a non violent way.

Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, Matale Municipal Council Chairman Hilmi Kareem, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry Secretary P. Ramanujam, Parakrama Dissanayake and several Government Officers were also present.