2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi:

Ten thousand temple lands to be cultivated

Priyanka KURUGALA

The government has drawn up a plan to launch an islandwide program to cultivate 10,000 lands in temples throughout the country to mark the 2600 Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi. This program which is implemented under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will commence at the Wadduwa, Pothupitiya temple, on April 23 at 10.00 am along with the Divi Neguma Programme.

By now the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner's Department has informed all the temples to launch this programme at the same time. The Department hopes to cultivate food crops under this programme. Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandraprema Gamage said that around 1000 acres will be cultivated at once under this programme.

The National Programme will be held under the guidance of Most Ven Welimitiyawe Kusala Dhamma Thera, under the patronage of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne and other Ministers.