News
Defence Secretary launches Deegawapiya Stupa Restoration Project
Sacred Relics exposition under consideration
The Deegawapiya Stupa will be restored to its former glory, pledged Defence Secretary, Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne.
Previous attempts towards this end were unsuccessful, he said, and added that the restoration process will be completed within three years.
The Defence Secretary was addressing the media at the launch of the Deegawapiya donation account ceremony at the Defence Ministry last week.
“We have opened an account dedicated to the Deegawapiya restoration project following parliamentary endorsement, and it will be launched officially on January 22, at Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Colombo in a ceremony presided by the Maha Sanga under the guidance of the President and the Prime Minister”, he noted.
Gunaratne said the biggest challenge faced is the manufacture of standard bricks, the core material for the Stupa, its transport and the laying of 28,000 bricks on a daily basis.
He said 23 million standard bricks, 3,977 cubes of river sand, 30,167 bags of cement and other raw materials will be needed for restoration work.
“We look forward to financial assistance to procure the raw materials”, he noted.
Gunaratne said government funds will not be used for the restoration work. “This magnanimous effort requires approximately one billion rupees. Funds will be generated through devotees, local and foreign donors and all well-wishers.
He asked the print and electronic media to support the noble cause by disseminating the message to the public.
He said plans are afoot to structure the Sacred Stone-Paved Precincts (Salapathala Maluwa), a full-fledged Pilgrimage’s Rest House (Vishrama Shalawa) and to have a charming environment by planting saplings of Sal (shorea robusta) and ironwood.
The Defence Secretary said the sacred relics in a stone casket recently unearthed during excavation would be placed in the Stupa after the project is completed.
An exposition of the sacred relics will be held in Colombo and a few other towns for veneration after the coronavirus threat is mitigated in due course, he noted.
“Let’s restore and protect the sacred Stupa for devotees to pay homage and preserve it for future generations to see the pride of motherland”, he added.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) in the Special Grade of Sri Lanka Engineering Service serving at present as the Additional Secretary (Water Resources Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to the post of Director General which will be vacant from 06.10.2026.
Approval has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 08.06.2026 to prepare a draft bill for restructuring Sri Lanka Cricket.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated Sri Lanka draft bill providing legal provisions for the administration of Sri
Lanka Cricket, control, regulation, promotion, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for the development and administration, through the concepts of better governance, integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities for the betterment of the cricket sport, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for securing the wellbeing of all participants and securing cricket from corruption and other mal practices.
Clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the said draft bill. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been received for the resolution furnished by the Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation performs vitally important functions such as minimizing the risk of inundation in urban and lowland areas, maintaining drainage systems efficiently, carrying out urgent operations during inundation events, and maintaining canals.
The need to strengthen the capacity of the corporation’s internal
operations has been identified by the corporation to perform the aforementioned functions efficiently and expeditiously.
The corporation has planned to purchase small -scale machinery that can be used to clean small canals, which significantly contribute to urban inundation.
The General Treasury has agreed to grant 625 million rupees as an equity contribution for purchasing the relevant machinery.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to purchase the relevant machinery by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, following formal procurement procedures at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,233
million, utilizing the aforementioned amount granted by the General Treasury and the funds of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation.
Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) appointed Director General of Irrigation
Sri Lanka Cricket Draft Bill to be gazetted
Cabinet approves purchase of machinery for the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation
Cabinet approval for Project to Build Secure, Skilled, and Empowered Community for families resettled at the at Kalinga Mawatha, housing scheme
Appointment of Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Organization of 79th Independence Day Commemoration
Establishment of New Management Framework for the Dr. Nevil Fernando Hospital
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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