'A society with moral values for the occurrence of a miracle':

Buddhasasana Ministry will cater to all religions

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, under the theme "A society with moral values for the occurrence of a miracle," has organized an exhibition to cater to all religions, to mark the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Cassian Herath said.

For the development and renovation of all religious places of worship in the Anuradhapura District, the government has spent a sum of Rs 250 million during the past year to mark the Deyata Kirula, he said.

Nearly 162 Dhamma schools have been included in the Anuradhapura District.

Along with these programmes, a sum of Rs 66 million has been spent to develop Atamasthanas too.

The ministry has also spent Rs 60 million for development projects of Dhamma schools in the Anuradhapura area.

To mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi, the ministry has launched a programme to develop 2600 Dhamma schools throughout the country.

The ministry has launched many other activities for the development of other religious schools such as Hindu, Catholic, Christian and Muslim.

Another programme, the National Drug Prevention Unit under the Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, has prohibited the use of liquor as well as smoking in the premises of the Deyata Kirula exhibition.

Forty disabled security services officers have been allocated with the task of enforcing the prohibition.

Along with the Deyata Kirula development projects, the government has constructed a Sangawasa in Tantirimale.

It was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa parallel to the Deyata Kirula Development project.

The Buddhist Affairs Coordinating officers had been provided with 22 computers, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandra Prema Gamage said, adding that all religious cultures could be witnessed under one roof at the exhibition.

Rare books relevant to each religion too could be purchased at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition, the Commissioner said.

This programme has been launched under the directions of Prime Minister D M Jayaratna and and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardana, he said.