President directs officials:

Protect Buddhist scripts from distortion

President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed officials to formulate a formal procedure to stop the presentation of erroneous information and distortion of material creeping into various Buddhist scripts.

The President gave the instruction at a discussion with members of the working committee of the All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Balamandalaya at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Bhikkhus stressed the need to formulate a system to stop the distortion of Buddhist material and the publication of distorted Buddhist books and literature.

These prelates also stressed the importance of history being included into the school syllabus.

President Rajapaksa informed that history as a separate subject will be introduced into the school curriculum beginning next year.

The working committee expressed their thanks to President Rajapaksa over the Cabinet approval to appoint Daham Paasal teachers to teach Buddhism in Government schools and also on the Government decision to introduce history into school syllabus.

Matters relating to the grant of uniform material to Daham Paasal teachers, a more systematic grant of library allowances to teachers were also discussed.

The President also paid attention to the needs of new building to Daham Paasalas and other facilities to these religious schools.

President Rajapaksa instructed officials to provide financial allocations.

Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and several Buddhist monks were associated with the President at this discussion.

Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera and Ven. Thudalle Seelakkande Thera led the group of prelates.