The government has taken action to establish District level committees which encompass all religions to make decisions regarding the religious matters of the area.

Buddha Shasana & Religious Affairs Ministry will initiate the programme and appoint committees in this regard.

The inaugurating step of the programme was held at the Kanthale Akbo
Pura Raja Maha Vihara in Trincomalee District recently with the participation of Buddha Shasana & Religious Affairs Minister and Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne. Buddhist monks, Hindu, Islam and Catholic priests of the District were present at the event.

The head of the Sri Bodhi Raja Vihara in China Bay, Trincomalee, Venerable Dehiovita Piyatissa Thero was elected as the president of this multi-religious committee.

‘The economic development sans religious upheaval will not serve any purpose for the country and therefore both sections should flourish simultaneously. It is the intention of the government to establish these multi-religious committees in all districts including the North and East areas. It is essential to include these committees in the development process of the North & East which is devastated by thirty year long civil conflict’, said Prime Minister.