Certain Western forces trying to undermine country’s progress -PM

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said a conspiracy is being carried out in certain Western countries in recent times to stifle the economic progress of Asian countries.

Under this conspiracy, plans have been drawn up to make Sri Lanka which is nurtured by pure Theravada Buddhism, a colony once again, he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the Keerthi Sri Thejowarama Raja Maha Vihayaraya at Pallawela, Mulatiyana, Hakmana to present Sannas Pathra and declare the viharaya a Sacred Area.

This temple belongs to the Kandyan era with a history dating back to 1734. The viharaya was constructed during the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’ under the leadership of Ven. Ransegoda Dammaransi Thera. As per a proposal of

Prime Minister and Minister of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs D.M. Jayaratne, the Cabinet of Ministers unanimously agreed to declare this historic Raja Maha Viharaya a Sacred Area and the Sannas Pathraya which depicts this declaration was presented to the Chief Incumbent of the temple with the participation of the large number of devotees.

The Prime Minister who unveiled the memorial plaque planted a ‘Na’ tree in the temple premises.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said “There are over 11,200 temples in the island. The government is unable to declare all the temples as sacred areas. After naming a Buddhist Centre as a sacred area, the intervention of the government for its development is enhanced.

“During the Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi time, an islandwide programme was implemented for the uplift of temples. Under this programme, initiatives were taken to renovate many temples and develop infrastructure facilities in association with the temples. Our government was able to develop many temples in the North and Eastern Provinces which were destroyed in the war,” the PM said.

“It is noteworthy that the intervention of the government as well as the contribution of Buddhists in the respective areas was received to make this a success. The Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office have designed an islandwide programme to collect information of every temple. Under this programme, information on the Buddhist programmes implemented during the 2,600th Buddha Jayanthi period as well as the details of temples are collected. I wish to publish a book including the details about the history of temples, lands, folklore, and also about the matters to learn about that temple,” he said.

“With the restoration of peace in the country, we have been assigned the responsibility of developing the country according to modern ideas. However, we should not forget that we will be subject to various pressures from Western countries, but we should not be worried about such pressures,” the Prime Minister said.

Skill Development and Youth Affairs Minister Dallas Alahapperuma and Investment Promotion Minister Laxman Yapa Abegunawardena also spoke.