'Dhamma education should be imparted to children'

Athapattu Bandara

Dhamma education should be imparted to the child to mould a righteous society, said Construction, Engineering Service, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of Balangoda Ananda Maithree Memorial Multipurpose building at Wickramasinghapura Wiwekasrama in Battaramulla yesterday.

Minister Weerawansa said there is a possibility of creating a person alienated from Sri lankan identity when he or she is devoid of traditional cultural setup derived from Buddhism.

He said "we, as a country, conquered all challenges as we were fortunate to claim a life style connected with a culture enriched in Buddhism."

The minister reminiscing the life of the late Balangoda Ananda Mitriya Nayaka Thera, said the Thera was an exemplary character not only for the Bhikku generation but also for both Buddhists and non Buddhists people around the world.

"A salient feature of Buddhsit teaching is non violence. Buddhism does not accept violence at any ground. A person who adjusts his or her life style in keeping with Buddhist teachings will never opt to violence nor go against society," he said.

The Balangoda Nanada Maithriya Multipurpose Building was constructed at a cost of Rs.140 million by the Buddhasasana Ministry.