Massive allocation for Dhamma School education - Dullas

A W Gunawardhana, Matara central corr.

A massive sum has been granted to 2,600 Daham Pasal to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya. Each Daham School will receive Rs 150,00 for development under this programme, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

He was speaking at a ceremony at the Dharmasalawa at Bodhi Araksaka Sabawa, Matara recently.

The ceremony was held to grant financial assistance to 127 Daham schools in the Matara district.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma addresses the gathering at the ceremony to grant financial assistance to 127 Daham schools in the Matara district. Picture by A W Gunawardhana, Matara central corr.

It was held under the patronage of Chief Prelate Ven Panditha Gombaddala Nandarama Thera of the Sri Rohana Chapter - Siyam Maha Nikaya.

Minister Alahapperuma said this programme was launched not to seek political gain.

He said President Rajapaksa has stressed not to link Bhikkhus, religion and daham pasal with politics.

Alahapperuma said in 2005, the President emphasised the importance of building a new nation.

"The Buddha Sasana will be strengthened on the President's instructions. Some groups are trying to prevent Buddhist clergy entering politics. We laymen have no right to enforce laws on Bhikkhus," he said.

Chief Prelate Ven Gonabaddala Nandarama Thera of Rohana Sangasabawa said Daham Pasal are the poorest educational institutions in Sri Lanka. "Daham school teachers do not get wages. Students are not charged fees and the schools do not receive donations," he said.

"The government provides them only textbooks. This donation is a great help from the government," he said.

The Nayaka Thera said President Rajapaksa is keen on protecting Buddhism. "There is a Buddhist revival throughout the country.

"There should be a code of ethics for Bhikkhus. The conduct of some Bhikkhus is against Buddhist principles," he said.

Advisor to the President, Ven Getamanne Gunananda Nayaka Thera, Ven Hakmana Dharmarathana Thera and Buddha Sasana Ministry Secretary Casian Herath also spoke.

Heads of the Matara district Daham schools (the Maha Sangha), Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Southern Provincial Education Minister Chandima Rasaputra, Southern Provincial Council members Sarath Yapa Abeywardena and Kanchana Wijesekara and Matara district Secretary W K K Athukorala were also present.

Minister Alahapperuma, Deputy Minister Abeywardena and provincial Minister Rasaputhra handed over the cheques to Heads of the Daham Pasal of the Matara district.