Casinos, night clubs near schools to be relocated

Sanjaya Asela Mathurata, Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

KANDY: The Government has decided to relocate casinos and night clubs close to schools by November this year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Kandy Esala Perahera festival at the President’s House in Kandy on Sunday, the President said steps have also been taken to strengthen existing laws preventing the admission of minors into night clubs.

“The objective of all these measures, including the recent decision to prohibit obscene websites, is to protect our younger generation from undesirable forces. All Sri Lankans must join hands in this effort to create a decent and disciplined society,”

he said. Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa yesterday while accepting a citation from Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara signaling the successful conclusion of the Kandy Perahera, vowed that he would ensure the Sacred Tooth Relic considered as the guardian of the State would remain within a united Sri Lanka in the future as well.

Speaking during the citation handing over ceremony on Sunday, the President pointed out that since ancient times during both foreign invasions and amidst terrorist activities, the Sacred Tooth Relic had provided strength to overcome such calamities.

Diyawadane Nilame Dela Bandara along with the Basnayaka Nilames of the four Devalayas handed over the citation to President Rajapaksa on Sunday afternoon signaling the successful conclusion of the 11 day Kandy Perahera.

The President addressing a gathering where all artistes who participated in the Perahera were given mementos, emphasised that the country’s ancient leaders had protected the Tooth Relic even at the cost of their lives and that he was committed to do the same.