Buddhasasana receives highest state patronage - PM

The Buddhasasana has received the highest state patronage and protection under the tenure of the present government as never before in the country’s recent history said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne. He was speaking at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s office to mark the award of scholarships to a batch of Samanera bhikkhus from difficult areas in the country.

The programme was organized by the Wellawatte International Buddhist Centre and the Jathika Namal Uyana Development Trust.

The Prime Minister said the government had continuously paid attention towards the country's economic as well as religious, cultural and social progress even at the height of the war.

"Although there was certain obstacles towards the development of temples in the North and East on account of the war steps have now been taken to develop places of worship of all religions including temples, kovils, mosques and churches in the North and East since the return of peace," he said.

He said therefore allegations that temples in difficult areas were neglected made by certain quarters were false and baseless.