Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi:

Dilapidated temples to get face-lift

Priyanka Kurugala

The government has drawn a plan to provide funds for the renovation of 2,600 dilapidated temples throughout the country to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi. Presidential Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Steering Committee Secretary K Kalupahana told the Daily News that the Committee has collected almost all details of temples which do not have basic facilities.

The committee has paid full attention to complete shortcomings in temples in the rural areas.

According to the request of chief incumbents of these temples, the committee has decided to provide funds under the approval of the Sasanarakshaka Balamandalas and Provincial Secretaries.

Kalupahana said there are many temples even in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara which are in a poor state. The committee has decided to provide Rs 100,000 for each such temple for renovation.

The programme will be launched from Vesak Full Moon Poya day in 2011 to Vesak Full Moon Poya day 2012, the Secretary said.