Phase one complete before Vesak

Anuradhapura city development plan:

Nimal Wimesinghe
Anuradhapura Additional district group correspondent

National Heritage Minister Jagath Balasooriya said phase one of the rivised Anuradhapura Sacred City development plan the landscaping between Kurunegala junction up to the Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Mahamevuna Uyana would be completed before the forthcoming Vesak Full Moon day.

He was addressing a special meeting held at Anuradhapura Kachcheri to discuss the implementation of the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan. Rs 20 million has been allocated for phase one.

The project is handled by the National Heritage Ministry jointly with the Physical Planning Department, Archaeological Department and the North Central Provincial Council” Balasooriya further said.

The Minister emphasised that the intention of the Ministry was to attract foreign tourists to Anuradhapura and it was essential to make adequate hotel rooms available for them and to arrange a comfortable bus service to travel around Anuradhapura covering all monuments of historic archaeological and cultural importance. Maha Sangha including Atamastanadhipathi Dr Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, the Ruwanweli Chetiyaramadhipathi, Lankarama Chetiyathipathi Ven Ralapanawe Dhammajothi, Nayaka Thera Purwaramyadhipathi Ven Pothane Dhammananda Nayake Thera, Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayaka.