A'pura Sacred City development, preservation:

Prelate lauds Defence Secretary

Nimal WIJESINGHE

Anuradhapura Additional District Group correspondent

Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Dr Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera thanked Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for implementing the Anuradhapura Sacred City development and preservation activities.

The prelate said so when the Defence Secretary paid a courtesy call on him during an inspection tour to the Ranaviru Maha Seya which is under construction and the landscaping and cleaning process at Mahamevna Uyana and Atamasthana premises for the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi ceremony.

The Nayake Thera in his Anusasana said that for the first time after decades, the devotees who would flock in millions during the Poson season to Anuradhapura would be ensured ample infrastructural facilities and witness a systematically beautified Mahamevuna Uyana. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that the maintenance of the Sacred City including cleanliness and security would continue thus making the area more secure and attractive to local and foreign visitors and devotees. Media Centre of National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalle accompanied Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The Defence Secretary's main purpose to visit to Anuradhapura was to invite Chief Prelates in Anuradhapura to participate in the Jaya pirith chanting to be held on May 10 at the BMICH.