As part of the national initiative ‘Godanamu Adhisthanayen Sanhinda’ to rehabilitate religious sites damaged by Cyclone ‘Ditwah,’ a symbolic ceremony was held last Monday (16) to hand over compensation for the restoration of the Gatambe Rajopavanarama Temple and the Panideniya Bharati Vidyayathana Pirivena.

The event was presided over by Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake. According to the Ministry, Rs. 9.1 million has been allocated for the Gatambe Rajopavanarama Temple, while the Panideniya Bharati Vidyayathana Pirivena will receive Rs. 2 million.

During the visit to Gatambe Temple, Dissanayake and invited guests sought blessings from the Anunayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thero, and participated in discussions on the ongoing reconstruction work. The delegation later visited Panideniya Pirivena, where, under the guidance of Chief Incumbent and Principal Ven. Ambaliyadde Sangharatana Nayaka Thero, renovation work was officially launched.

Addressing the gathering, Dissanayake said the Government has launched several programs to safeguard and strengthen the Sambuddha Sasana. These include restoring approximately 1,400 religious sites damaged by Cyclone ‘Ditwah,’ the “Budu Puth Mapiya Niwahana” project to build homes for low-income parents who dedicate their children to the monkhood, and the “Jeewayata Urumayak” initiative aimed at conserving 1,000 neglected archaeological sites.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Ministers Prasanna Gunasena and Hansaka Wijayamuni, MP Thanura Dissanayake, Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta, Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary Amila Navaratne, and Assistant Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs Anuruddha Bandara, along with a host of other dignitaries.

By S.K. Samaranayake