Over Rs 220m for Mahiyangana redevelopment programme

Over Rs 220 million will be spent on the Mahiyangana town redevelopment programme this year and another Rs 3,000 million will be set apart for the project for the next five years, said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

He was presiding over a discussion on the Mahiyangana town and sacred area development plan held at the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya on Saturday. Minister Weerawansa said the Mahiyangana town development plan will be implemented in a manner which will preserve the Mahiyangana sacred area as directed by the President.

He said the forthcoming Duruthu Poya will mark the 2600th anniversary of Buddha's visit to Mahiyangana.

As such Mahiyangana will enter Sri Lanka's history as the country's first historical city. The President had directed his Ministry to look into the shortcomings in Mahiyangana and remedy them quickly to commemorate this event.

Under this programme, the road network will be rehabilitated while the city lighting system will be improved.

Provision of infrastructure and sanitation facilities for pilgrims will also be looked into. Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharadhipati Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkhitha Nayaka Thera and several others also spoke.