The President made these remarks at the religious ceremony to open the newly built Buddha statue at Sri Jayawardanarama Temple in Dangedara, Galle yesterday (2nd Oct.).

The President also opened the newly built Bodhi Prakaraya and golden fence.

Speaking further, the President said culture of the country is the strongest among all. “Therefore, everybody should behave with the understanding about the culture of the country”, he said.

He further said if a small group of monks are behaving in a way to challenge the existence of the Sambuddha Sasana, the Nayaka Theros of relevant Nikayas have the responsibility to work on that.