Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry’s Additional Secretary (Cultural Promotion) Tilak Nandana Hettiarachchi said US$ 10 million out of US$15 million received under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with India to promote Buddhist ties, has been earmarked for the installation of solar power systems in temples.
He said this while attending a press conference conducted by the Mass Media Ministry yesterday.
The Secretary also said that installing solar power systems in temples will provide a relief to the issue of paying high electricity bills at temples. The performance centre attached to the Sri Dalada Maligawa which is being built currently under another Indian financial grant will be opened next year. Rs.145 million will be spent for that.
The Secretary also said that the work of the main Sunday school building, which is being built at the cost of Rs.45 million at St.Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya is expected to be completed shortly. He said that an amount of Rs.140 million has been allocated next year for the development of religious schools belonging to all religions. Programmes to rehabilitate temples of scientific value across the country and to promote values and create religious harmony will be implemented in the coming year as well.
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