The Jathika Namal Uyana in Sri Lanka is the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in Asia. The historical mountains is situated in Anuradhapura district 7 kilometers from Madatugama junction of Colombo - Anuradhapura highway. Ven. Wanawasi Rahula Thero, a Buddhist monk leader who resides close to the site and was acting the role of a custodian of the national garden for 25 years, has decided to hand it over to the Central Cultural Fund.

With the handover, the Central Cultural Fund will implement a number of development programs to promote the natural beauty, bio diversity and archaeological importance of the site which attracts over a hundred thousand tourists per year. Director General of the Central Cultural Fund Prof. Prashantha Gunawardena presented the first ticket issued by the Central Cultural Fund to visit the Namal Uyana to the President at the occasion. The President also declared open the JR Jayewardene Memorial Meditation Center constructed with the financial aid of a Japanese national.

Ven. Wanawasi Rahula Thero, Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Parliamentarian Chandima Gamage and other people's representatives, Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary J.J. Ratnasiri, Commissioner General of Archeology Prof. P.B. Mandawela, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathi and senior military officials were present at the occasion.