Duty of all to help build virtuous society -PM

‘President Mahinda Rajapaksa has shouldered the task of developing the country and the challenge of building a virtuous society had to be met by all religious groups led by the Maha Sangha, said Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

The Prime Minister expressed these views when representatives of the all Religious Organization for National Reconciliation recently called on him at “Visumpaya”, his official residence.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the material well being alone would not lead towards a good society.

“The collective effort of every section of society is vital to lead the country to the above goal,” he added.

Presidential Co-ordinator of Buddhist Affairs Ven. Galagama Dharmaransi Thera, Presidential Co-ordinator of Hindu Religious Affairs Kurukkal Brahma Sri Babu Sharma Remachandra, Presidential Co-ordinator of Christian Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Sarath Hettiarachchi, Presidential Co-ordinator of Muslim Religious Affairs Alhaj Hassan Moulavi and other representatives were present on this occasion.

The representatives of the Organization praised the religious programmes carried out in order to build a virtuous society by the Prime Minister under the guidance of the President.

The Prime Minister said there had been a remarkable religious reawakening in the country during the past two years.

“The government has taken up the challenge of building a virtuous society alongside the President’s economic development drive,” he further added.

Presidential Co-ordinator of Buddhist Affairs Ven. Galagama Dharmaransi Thera said it was heartening to see a religious reawakening taking place to coincide with the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi.

“The efforts taken by Prime Minister to develop temples in difficult areas and work carried out towards promoting national reconciliation through religious means is commendable The Thera blessed the Prime Minister.

Presidential Co-ordinator of Christian Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Sarath Hettiarachchi said Sri Lanka is a multi - religious and multi-ethnic society.

The President had entrusted the responsibility or reconciliation among different religious and ethnic groups to the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. “The President has done so because the Prime Minister had acumen to complete that task. By building an All Religious Centre atop Ambuluwawa, he had provided equal opportunity to devotees of all religions to engage in their religious observances,” Rev. Father Hettiarachchi added.

Presidential Co-ordinator of Hindu Religious Affairs Kurukkal Brahma Sri Babu Sharma Ramachandra said the Prime Minister has contributed greatly towards religious amity. But, we must be vigilant about anti-social groups trying to create religious rifts among the various religious groups. We should not leave room for people which such narrow objectives to succeed.

“The Prime Minister had done a commendable service for the development of Hindu Religious Affairs. We could not forget the sacrifices he made for the uplift of religion in the Kegalle, Kandy, Batticaloa, Ampara and Jaffna districts,”Kurukkal Sharma added.

Presidential Co-ordinator of Muslim Religious Affairs Alhaj Hassan Moulavi said the President had initiated massive programmes to develop the country in the aftermath of the war.

“The Prime Minister’s programme towards strengthening religious amity and reconciliation merits our respect and gratitude,” Moulavi Hassan added.

Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Anuradha Jayaratne was also present on the occasion.