Minister Sajith Premadasa pays homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic

Colombo (News 1st): Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa visited Kandy today (March 1). He paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and later visited the Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter. During discussions with the minister, Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero noted that the Central Cultural Triangle and Archaeology Department must have focus and both serve the same purpose. He noted that the Archaeology Department lacks necessary funds, while the Cultural Triangle has adequate funds and thus the CCT led the work program. Minister Premadasa responding to the thero noted that the Central Cultural Fund and Department of Archaeology have been gazetted under the Ministry of Culture. He said that by doing so, it is necessary that the two departments work in a very coordinated manner. Archaeology graduates will be recruited soon to fill the vacancies and form an efficient service. The Mahanayaka Thero then noted that those who destroy archaeological artefacts should be punished, and most go unpunished and this makes him regret. The Minister arrived at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya to visit the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Nikaya. Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero said that he is happy that the minister carries the noble qualities of his father and lives with dignity. He wished the minister all the best in his term of office. Meanwhile, the foundation stone laying ceremony of the western entrance to the Asgiri Maha Viharaya took place under the patronage of the Minister Sajith Premadasa. Speaking at the event he noted that there are a number of sections that needed amendments in the archaeology act. The minister noted that they are hoping that the recommendations of the minister will be considered and the act will be amended, under the advice of the Mahanayake Thera.