Religious uplift programme; must for undergrads - Prelate

Nihal JAYAWARDENA

"The need for a religious programme to uplift moral and spiritual values among undergraduates who are inclined towards a restless and competitive education pattern has arisen currently as never before," said the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

"Launching of such a programme concurrent to the 2600th Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi commemoration is therefore most praiseworthy," he said.

The prelate expressed these sentiments delivering an Anusasana when the Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sarath Abeykoon called on him at the Asgiriya Viharaya in Kandy and received his blessings after paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa yesterday.

The Vice Chancellor presented a report containing the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi commemoration programme organized by the Peradeniya University Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Advisory Committee and copies of several Vesak cards created in this connection, to the Prelate.

The Vice Chancellor said the commemoration programme will be conducted throughout the period from Vesak Poya this year to Vesak Poya Day next year with the participation of the academic and non-academic staff and the students.

The Prelate noted that a meritorious deed of this nature will be a fine example for the students as well as their parents and guardians.

Referring to the recent incidents of violence at the Anuradhapura Bhikkhu University, the Prelate said he was deeply shocked to hear about it.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor Prof. Sarath Abeykoon called on the Most Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter at the Malwatte Viharaya and received his blessings. The Vice Chancellor also presented a copy of the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi programme and copies of Vesak cards to the Malwatte Prelate.