The chief incumbent of the sacred Sri Pada Ven.Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera has requested relevant authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the issue of tickets for money by wildlife officers from foreign devotees visiting Sri Pada.
“Several Buddhists from Bhutan said that they wanted to visit the Sri Pada and this was informed by Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera of the Gangarama temple, and I informed the officials of the Sri Pada to make arrangements for the visit. But Wildlife officials had charged money from them,” the Thera told the media.
The Thera said no money has been charged from any pilgrims who come to Sri Pada both during the Sri Pada season and off-season, and it is unfair to charge money and issue tickets during off season from foreign devotees.
The Thera said he had informed Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi about the matter.
Niroshana Perera, Kahawatte