Prime Minister tells in Muthiyangana:

Religion creates exemplary society

Badulla South group corr.

Every Sri Lankan should follow the precepts and rituals of their religions to create a peaceful, prosperous, just and exemplary society in the country, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony to construct the Salapathala Maluwa around the Muthiyangana Chaithya and the Vishrama Shalawa (resting building) organized by the Muthiyangana Temple Chief Incumbent Most Venerable Warakagoda Shri Gnanarathana Thera at the Muthiyngana Temple, Badulla.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said Foreign Rulers governed the country for more than three centuries. Ancient heroes sacrificed their lives to gain freedom. Separatist terrorists tried to grab two provinces of the country during the past three decades. President Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated the terrorist war within three years, by the strength of the Maha Sangha and the youth. The President's next aim is to develop the country rapidly. The Government could pass the 18th amendment with the assistance of patriotic members of opposition parties to avoid constraints of the constitution in achieving development.

The Prime Minister said in 1818, Governor John Doyle massacred the people, in Uva Wellassa and destroyed the ancient irrigation network to control the uprising against the Government. The people in the area became helpless. To uplift their living standard, many development projects have been launched by the Government. The people should support to carry on these massive development activities.