Don't limit religious education to exams - PM

Religious education should not be limited to exams and certificates in the pursuit of a virtuous society, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

He said so in his message to the 117th Samastha Lanka Daham Pasal National Festival at Nuwara Eliya Town Hall auditorium on August 5.

The message said a thorough study of the turn of events in present day society raises doubts as to whether true objectives of religious education have been achieved.

"It is high time that we had an extensive dialogue in this regard," the message adds.

He said it was significant that this year's National Daham Pasal festival was held at Nuwara Eliya.

"Buddhist education which commenced 117 years ago to create a virtuous society has transcended other provincial boundaries. With the 2,600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi there had been a religious reawakening, opening new avenues for Buddhist education.

"The leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the blessings of the Buddhist monks to promote religious education is commendable. It could be proudly said that this is an era when Buddhist education had seen unprecedented development," the Prime Minister's message adds.

Private Secretary to the Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Minister Senani Lanka Jayaratne read the Prime Minister's message at the festival.

Ven Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera said the services rendered by teachers to impart religious knowledge was praiseworthy. "They deserve our respect. Daham Pasal education could lead to a meaningful, virtuous society," the Thera said.

The Thera said he was grateful to the Maha Sangha, parents and children who extend their maximum support towards maintaining thousands of Daham Pasal in the country.

"Religious education is important for one's life. Today, society has realised this fact. Children should be convinced about the value of Daham education. It was through this knowledge that one can face the various challenges in life. It is Daham education that moulds a successful personality with a clear mind," Ven Vijithasiri Thera asserted. Public Transport Services Minister C B Ratnayake said Buddhist religious education should be considered as an effective way of life. "The contribution made by the Maha Sangha in this regard is enormous," he said.

"The President and Prime Minister are rendering a great service towards creating a just society," the minister said.

We should be able to withstand false allegations leveled at us when we engage in service to public, said the minister.

Public Management Reforms Minister Navin Dissanayake also addressed the gathering.

Special certificates were presented to two Buddhist monks for their long standing service as Daham Pasal teachers at the Daham Pasal festival.

Titles of Justice of Peace were conferred on 26 Daham Pasal teachers in recognition of their service.

Two hundred and forty students were presented with Daham scholarships and library fees and uniforms were distributed among the teachers.

Ven Gonaduwe Gunananda Thera, Registrar of Samastha Lanka Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandala, Ven Thibbotugoda Gunananda, Nuwara Eliya District President of Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandala, Ven Morape Kusalagnana Thera, Registrar of Nuwara Eliya District Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandala, M K D Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, Chandraprema Gamage, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, D P G Kumarasiri, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, Daham Pasal staff and students participated.