New places of religious worship only with prior approval of Ministry

The Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs has reiterated the need for those setting up and operating new places of religious worship to get prior approval from the Ministry.

The move has been taken to avoid breakdown in amity among members of various religious groups in the country, and on the recommendations of the Consultative Committee of Parliament of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, Ministry Secretary M.K.B. Dissanayaka said.

The Secretary said the regulations have been in place since 2008, but many instances have been observed where they have been flouted.

The Ministry put out a public notice on Friday, reminding those wishing to set up and operate new places of religious worship, that it is imperative written permission be obtained for setting up and maintaining all new places of worship, or for putting up religious signs in keeping with the rules issued by the Ministry.

Mr Dissanayake said that, currently, there is a trend of setting up of places of worship such as Buddhist and Hindu temples, monasteries, mosques, churches, meditation centers, Dhamma schools, prayer centres and of putting up religious signs such as sacred trees, signs of doctrines, idols, crosses etc. in a multitude of places, illegally and contrary to accepted standards.

This situation has had an adverse impact on reli- gious amity guaranteed by the Constitution, he said.

The Ministry has also reiterated that, when purchasing land, or a house, or leasing out a property, or seeking permission to secure government land, for purchase to construct or maintain places of worship or religions signs, proper written permission should be obtained in order to verify the suitability of such premises for religious purposes.

He said that, it is only after a report is submitted by the Local Authority of the relevant area, and also after prior consultation with the various religious groups in the area, permission is granted, so that, there would be religious harmony, and setting up such a place would not strain relationships between different groups.