(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the role played by our Venerable Nayaka Theras is most significant at a time when the whole world is searching for Buddhism. He stated this when he visited the Chief Incumbent of Vidyalankara Parivena and Director Venarable Valamitiyawe Gnanarathana Thera who was appreciated and awarded the position of Chief Sanghanayaka of Colombo and Chilaw Divisions with the honorary title of Dharmakirthi Sri Tripitaka Vagiswaracharya.
The Prime Minister at the occasion said,
“Awarding such an honorary title for our Nayaka Thera is a milestone in the history of Buddha sasana. We are taking steps to provide all necessary support for the services you render to the society.
I wish that you will have the strength and courage to carry on those duties for the further development of Vidyalankara Pirivena and for the Buddha Sasana.
At a time when the whole world is looking for Buddhism, the role played by our Nayaka Thera in guiding those endeavours is significant.
Our farmers have been very successful in this Maha season’s harvest. The next few years should be devoted to building an agricultural economy.”
Venarable Valimitiyawe Gnanarathana Thera said;
“Vidyalankara Pirivena is not a strange place for you. When you study Vidyalankara history, you can better understand Mr. Philip Gunawardena’s relationship with this Pirivena and the respect he had for the former Nayaka Theras.
The whole world now accepts Sri Lanka as the center of Theravada Buddhism.
It is a time when many intelligent people are exploring the essence of Buddhism.
However, I wish to point out that there is no proper place to search for Buddhism yet. We submitted a proposal to build a museum containing investigative information on Buddhism and its philosophy.
Theravada Buddhism is written in Pali. It should be translated into English and published as books.
The current economic crisis can be coped by appreciating local things.
Tourists have started arriving by now. I think the government will work to further improve the tourism sector.
The government’s effort on building an agricultural economy is to be commended.” Nayaka Thera concluded.
State Minister Sisira Jayakodi and Yadamini Gunawardena MP also joined this event.
