Kiriella and Mayantha felicitated in Kandy

For their services towards development of Buddha Sasana

In ancient history, our temples were developed using donations of rice grains by devotees

A function was conducted at the Sri Buddharakkitha Thera Commemoration Hall in Danture, Kandy to felicitate Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella and UNP Yatinuwara electoral organiser MP Mayantha Dissanayake. It was in recognition of Mr Kiriella’s contribution to the development of places of religious worship in the Yatinuwara electorate, allocating Rs.120 million under his Kandy awakening programme and of Mr. Dissanayake’s role in the same by apportioning Rs.100 million from his decentralized budget under the Gamperaliya programme.

The event was attended by a large number of lay people and members of the Buddhist clergy. The Minister was conferred with Sannas Pathra (scroll) on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Chief Incumbent of the Gondeniya ancient temple Ven. Medagoda Indrasara Thera said, “In ancient history, our temples were developed using donations of rice grains by devotees. In recent times, we conducted Suvisi Pinkham and fund collection programmes (Sammadam) to develop our temples. Yet, Mr Kiriella made a radical departure from it. He worked for the development of Buddha Sasana and temples by allocating Rs.200 million in Yatinuwara alone. He worked for the entire Kandyan region. That is why he was conferred with an honorary title by the Asgiriya Chapter. The current President implemented ‘Pubudamu Polonnaruwa’ programme. The former President carried out the Eastern awakening programme. But, there is nothing for Kandy. We bless Mr Kiriella to reach the highest echelon in politics by becoming the country’s leader. I have to mention here that we hope people will choose someone acceptable to all the ethnic, religious communities and who is able to win the hearts and minds of ordinary people, as the candidate at the next presidential elections. Then, we can realise the national requirements.

After Minister Abeysundare, the Yatinuwara electorate only got parliamentary representation through MP Mayantha Dissanayake. He coordinated all the temples under one umbrella and extended assistance for development. As a result, we bestow our blessings upon for him to achieve success in his political life.

Mr Kiriella said at the event that the present government discharged its duties with emphasis both on Amisha Puja and Prathipati Puja. He said the government created an atmosphere for everyone to live without fear and uncertainty.

The Minister said the present government ensured the rule of law compared with the former government, and acted for mutual trust among the communities and ethnic harmony. Commenting on media freedom, he said the government ensured the right to information by enacting a piece of legislation, and it was a major achievement. He added that the government committed to build Sri Lanka as a Sinhala Buddhist country with an atmosphere conducive for all ethnic, religious groups to live in.