The President further said that the initiatives will be taken in this regard under the guidance and advice of Sanaga Nayaka Thero’ of the three Chapters. He also said that presently initial steps have been taken to amend  the Buddhist Temporalities and related legislation (Vihara and Dewalagam Act and the Kathikawath Act) according to the advice of the clergy.

He made these observations participating at the felicitation ceremony at the Harumalgoda Keththarama Temple on Saturday (21). The ceremony was organized to felicitate the Most Venerable Happawan RewathaThero, who was conferred with the office of Mahanayaka of the WellabadaPattuwa.

The President said that  the government is committed to provide all necessary resources and facilities needed to develop  Buddhism.

“The aim of the government is to nourish all the religions of the country while providing required facilities to religious places to build religious harmony in the country”, he added.

President Sirisena commended the great service rendered by the Most Venerable Happawan RewathaThero for the religion at the ceremony.

The President also declared open the two storied Sanghawasaya at the temple premises.

Members of the Maha Sangha including Most ven.Kotapitiya RahulaThero, Udumalagala Mahinda NayakaThero, Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Gayantha Karunathilake, Governor of the Southern Province – Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva and many others were present at the occasion.