Buddhist culture was protected during the Kandyan royal era-kiriella

The Sinhala-buddhist culture was protected in the Kandyan region, and the manner in which Kandyan kings acted was commendable. He said the present generation should foster and protect the Sinhala Buddhist culture

Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development, Lakshman Kiriella said that the Sinhala-buddhist culture was protected in the Kandyan region, and the manner in which Kandyan kings acted was commendable.

He said the present generation should foster and protect the Sinhala Buddhist culture. He said the Kandyan kings had set an example as rulers of the country at that time.

The Minister, who is also the Leader of the House, took part in the function to mark the opening of the library and Sanghavasa (abode of the Buddhist monks) at Sri Nelumpathhinna Isipathanarama Vihara. This was built at a cost of Rs.3.2 million under the Udarata Udanaya programme (Kandyan awakening) in collaboration with the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry.

At the same occasion, Mahanayake of Ramanna Nikaya Most Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera conferred the honour ‘Saddharma Visharadha’ on the Chief Incumbent of Isipathanarama Vihara Ven. Marthuwala Kamalajeewa Thera.

Addressing the function, Bambaragama Rajamahaviharadhipathi Ven. Thalpotha Dhammajothi Thera said that since the end of royalty, only step-motherly treatment had been given to the upcountry, and called most projects implemented in the area ‘cosmetic changes’ which did not yield any benefit for the people.

However, he said Minister Kiriella had spent as much as Rs.16 million and developed an access road to the Pirivena. He said the Minister developed access roads to 29 temples in addition to the implementation of 49 development projects concerning temples. Besides, he said 35 km of road were carpeted with asphalt in the Kundasale area.

“Only Mr.kiriella worked for village and religion alike,” he said.

Due to this, he stressed the need to get a leader from the upcountry elected as the President of this country at the next Presidential election.