Deegavapiya, the historical site in Digamadulla revered by all Buddhists is to be developed and transformed into a sacred site, on the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Presidential Media sources said.
'Sannas Pathraya' was handed over to the Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Nannapurawe Buddharakhitha Thera by President Rajapaksa Pix Sudath Silva – the Official Photographer to H.E President
The National Physical Planning Department, coming under the Urban Development and Sacred Sites Development Ministry, will accordinly take steps in this regard, as part of its mandate to protect all national, religious and historical heritage sites, before they are handed over to the future generations.
This would be a part of an integrated process of making the "Athitha Abhimana Hetatath" programme a reality. The relevant 'Sannas Pathraya' was handed over to the Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Nannapurawe Buddharakhitha Thera by President Rajapaksa at a ceremony at Temple Trees yesterday (20th Feb, 2008).
The President noted that his Government was bound to protect and safeguard all religious and national heritage sites, in the wake of conspiracies originated by diverse reactionary forces which are striving to create religious discord among the communities.
The President Rajapaksa lauded the services rendered and the commitment shown by the Maha Sangha, in protecting historical and sacred sites, inclusive of the Deegavapiya, by the Deegavapi Viharadhipathi for 70 years.
The Maha Sangha were of the view that President Rajapaksa deserved the full credit and blessings for his commitment in protecting Deegavapi which had not caught the eye of any Government leader for the last 70 years.
With the elevation of Deegavapi to the status of a sacred site, several infrastructural development projects would be undertaken by the Urban Development and Sacred Sites Ministry and the Archaeological Department, including renovation of the Deegavapi Chaithaya, 'Salapathala Maluwa' conservation and the construction of a museum to place the 'Archaeological Plaque'.
Urban Development and Sacred Sites Development Minister Dinesh Goonawardena, Plan Implementation Minister P. Dayaratne, Presidential Senior Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara and other officials were also present at this meeting.
'Sannas Pathraya' was handed over to the Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Nannapurawe Buddharakhitha Thera by President Rajapaksa Pix Sudath Silva – the Official Photographer to H.E President
The National Physical Planning Department, coming under the Urban Development and Sacred Sites Development Ministry, will accordinly take steps in this regard, as part of its mandate to protect all national, religious and historical heritage sites, before they are handed over to the future generations.
This would be a part of an integrated process of making the "Athitha Abhimana Hetatath" programme a reality. The relevant 'Sannas Pathraya' was handed over to the Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Nannapurawe Buddharakhitha Thera by President Rajapaksa at a ceremony at Temple Trees yesterday (20th Feb, 2008).
The President noted that his Government was bound to protect and safeguard all religious and national heritage sites, in the wake of conspiracies originated by diverse reactionary forces which are striving to create religious discord among the communities.
The President Rajapaksa lauded the services rendered and the commitment shown by the Maha Sangha, in protecting historical and sacred sites, inclusive of the Deegavapiya, by the Deegavapi Viharadhipathi for 70 years.
The Maha Sangha were of the view that President Rajapaksa deserved the full credit and blessings for his commitment in protecting Deegavapi which had not caught the eye of any Government leader for the last 70 years.
With the elevation of Deegavapi to the status of a sacred site, several infrastructural development projects would be undertaken by the Urban Development and Sacred Sites Ministry and the Archaeological Department, including renovation of the Deegavapi Chaithaya, 'Salapathala Maluwa' conservation and the construction of a museum to place the 'Archaeological Plaque'.
Urban Development and Sacred Sites Development Minister Dinesh Goonawardena, Plan Implementation Minister P. Dayaratne, Presidential Senior Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara and other officials were also present at this meeting.
