Religious revival in Vavuniya says PM

A religious revival programme will be launched by the government in Vavuniya, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

In a special message to mark the presentation of donations to Daham Pasal in the Vavuniya district last week, the Prime Minister said if not for the selfless sacrifices by Buddhist priests in the North and East, the country would have had to face grave consequences.

He said Buddhist priests in places like Vavuniya underwent untold hardships in the process of extending support to Security Forces to protect Buddhist temples.

"Security Forces, therefore, deserve the nations' respect," Prime Minister Jayaratne said in his message.

The Prime Minister also said his desire is to see the assistance given by the government for the uplift of Daham education, was properly utilised and the students made it a point to use such assistance for spiritual development.

"During the conflict era, leaders of other religions also made an equal contribution along with the Buddhist clergy towards religious revival of the area. Vavuniya could be named as the City of Religious Harmony," he said.

Prime Minister Jayaratne also thanked Ven Siyambalagaswewa Wimalakeerthi Sri Sumana Gunananda Wimalasara Thera, President of the Vavuniya district Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya Sanganayaka of the North and East and Chief Incumbent of Vavuniya Bodhidhakshinaramaya, Ven Mahakachchakodiye Dhammananda, Registrar of Vavuniya District Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary M K B Dissanayaka, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandraprema Gamage and other officials who organised the festival. The Maha Sanga and Daham Pasal teachers and students were among the participants.