Reclaim Buddhist Relics, says Sambuddha Jayanthi Committee
Chaminda PERERA
Members of 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi Action Committee yesterday urged
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne for a viable program to reclaim the
Buddhist Relics that were drawn out of the country by various elements.
They made this plea at a meeting of the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi
Action Committee at Prime Minister's office yesterday.
The Action Committee has decided to invite the representatives all
recognized Buddhist Associations in the world for an international
Buddhist Forum to be held in Sri Lanka next year in parallel to the
celebration of 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthiya. Prime Minister Jayaratne was
of the opinion that the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthiya should be celebrated
internationally to revive Buddhism. He added that the 2600th Sri
Sambuddha Jayanthiya will help inculcate Buddhist ideals among the Sri
Lankan expatriate community too. "It is the intention of the Government
to revive Buddhist ideals among the Sri Lankan expatriate community", he
added.
It was decided at this meeting that Foreign Ministry's assistance
should be sought to coordinate the International Buddhist Conference to
be held in Sri Lanka next year.
The Prime Minister stressed that the masses should be educated on the
importance of this event at Divisional Secretariat level. He directed
the committee to inform the Divisional Secretaries and District
Secretaries to implement this awareness program.
The meeting also focused on the importance of establishing Buddhist
Associations islandwide. He also emphasized the need to strengthen the
close amity between the villagers and the temple.
Kelaniya University Chancellor and Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake
Thera of Colombo and Chilaw Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Ven
Diviyagaha Yasassi Thera, Ven Brahmanawatte Seevali Thera and Ven
Pallegama Hemarathana Thera were among the present.
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