INDO-LANKA COMBINED STAMP TO MARK OCCASION

Plans were under-foot to issue an Indio-Sri Lanka combined stamp to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala, who had played a pivotal role in reviving Buddhism in Sri Lanka as well as in the South Asian region during the time of colonial rule.

The initial talks in this regard had been held on January 23 amongst several organizations including the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Bodhu Bala Sena, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Colombo Municipal Council and several others. Ac-

Plans were underway to declare September 17, the birth anniversary of the Late Anagarika Dharmapala, Anagarika Dharmapala Day

cordingly it has been decided to hand over the responsibility in this regard to the Prime Minister’s office.

The second round of talks on the preparation for the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Late Anagarika Dharamapala was held at Prime Minister’s office yesterday, to which the media were also invited.

Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs M. K. B. Dissanayake, who attended this meeting, said that there was a possibility of issuing a series of combined stamps by the two countries to commemorate the event. He said that the Prime Minister’s office had already requested the Ministry of Posts to work on it.

In addition, he said that plans were underway to declare September 17, the birth anniversary of the Late Anagarika Dharmapala, Anagarika Dharmapala Day.

Many events had been organized to mark the occasion both at school level and nationally.