Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa assured Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven. Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Nayake Thera that construction and renovation work of the main temple would be completed as much as possible, so that traditional religious observances could be held on Poson Poya.
The Minister gave this assurance when Ven. Dhammarathana Nayake Thera said he wished to perform all traditional religious rituals and observances concerning historic Mihintale Sacred City on Poson Poya, in the same manner as in previous years. The Minister recently paid a surprise visit to the shrine to gather firsthand information about the shortcomings at the Sacred City.
The Chief Priest said tremendous development was achieved in Buddhist Religious Affairs during the regime of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. There was no temple in Mihintale the then Cultural Affairs Minister late E.L.B. Hurulle did not visit.
He said it was a pity that leaders were not genuinely interested in converting Mihintale to an apex international Buddhist religious site, befitting its religious majesty, glory and splendour.
The State Engineering Corporation will complete the construction and renovation work of Mihintale main temple which the Army completed halfway, as soon as possible. The Minister instructed the SEC to construct a spacious flight of stairs up to Maha Seya to avoid the arduous climb.
He also directed Ministry Secretary Bernard Vasantha to take immediate steps to paint the Maha Seya Amabasthala Chethiya and other stupas.
Minister Premadasa instructed Anuradhapura Government Agent R.M. Wanninayake who was present to coordinate the work and provide estimates of expenditure for completing the painting of the shrines, to the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has allocated Rs. 3 million for the traditional Mihintale Mihindu Perahera.
Ven Dhammarathana Thera said due to security reasons the perahera would be held during the daytime on Poson Poya.
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