Ministry approval needed :

No ad hoc construction of religious places

Chaminda PERERA

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne in his capacity as the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister yesterday decided to suspend the construction of places of religious worship without prior approval from the Buddhasasana Ministry Secretary.

The Prime Minister added that an approval of the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry is a prerequisite for new religious places of any denomination. Prime Minister Jayaratne said construction of religious places in an ad hoc manner has created a number of disputes among the communities.

He was of the view that this decision would also promote and protect the religious dignity.

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya was also instructed to implement rules and regulations which are already in place to suspend the construction of unauthorized religious places.

He stressed the need of implementing the circular 2154\2009 and Criminal circular 08\2009 dealing with the illegal construction of places of religious worship.

Approval should be obtained from the relevant local government authority, Divisional Secretary and the Ministry Secretary for the construction of religious places.

The application for such construction will be referred to a committee appointed by the Ministry Secretary after the relevant Divisional Secretary and the Local Government authority grant approval. The Prime Minister added that no approval will be given for new places of religious worship without unless the proper procedure is followed.