Due to blessings of the Triple Gem:

'Sri Lanka protected from all conspiracies'

Priyanka KURUGALA

Sri Lanka had been protected from all foreign conspiracies, due to the blessing of the triple gem, Science and Technology Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She was addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony for a building for the Mawpiya Sevana Theravada Bikkhu Training, Educational and Multi Disciplinary Vocational Training Centre, at Meepagama in Kalawana.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and with the participation of Kalawana Parlimentarian Janaka Wakkumbura on Sunday(11).

The minister further said that Sri Lanka was the country which had the purest form of Theravada Buddhism, which was a blessings to the country. Due to the great services of eminent monks, Buddhism had been protected in its pristine form. We also have a pious and devout generation of Bikkhus who were a strength to the country's protection, she said. The estimated cost of this Centre was Rs.300 million which was to be met through donations from the general public. The Mawpiya Sevana Charity was functioning under the Gnanodaya Foundation.

The Gnanodaya Foundation was the largest charity organization in the Sabaragamuwa Province, operating under the guidance of Ven Kalawane Dhammananda Thera for the last 15 years.

It was expected to provide educational facilities, including the knowledge of international languages to the Theravada Bikkhus as a major programme. An educational centre for poor children with facilities for accommodation, would be provided under this project. Multi disciplinary industrial training for youth would also be included. The building would comprise 140 rooms.

It would include class rooms, an auditorium, Science Laboratory and rest rooms. As a Government approved charity, the Mawpiya Sevana has provided services to those in need throughout the island. Mawpiya Sevana Home for the Aged, which was operating in the same premises, provides accommodation for 200 people.

At present, there were over 130 inmates, including Bikkhus. A children's home with 30 children and a home for patients who were declared incurable, with 13 inmates also being accommodated in the same premises.

Apart from all these services, a library with a membership of over 3,000, was functioning under the Gnanodaya Foundation. Ven Watinapaha Somananda Thera, Parliamentarian Dunesh Gankande, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Members Kanchana Jayaratna and Chaminda Indrapriya, with many government officials also participated at the event.