• Namal wants restoration of religious locations prioritised

Devotees from other parts of the country have been requested to refrain from attending religious observances to be held in view of the Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day in Anuradhapura today (04). The Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, the Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera made this request considering the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting Sri Lanka. He conveyed this message during a media briefing held in Anuradhapura. “Considering the current situation in the country, devotees coming from distant locations should wisely refrain from traveling for worship on this Poya Day, unlike in usual circumstances,” the monk said. He further assured that all religious observances will be carried out without interruption.

The Poya holds special significance for the people of Sri Lanka, particularly in Anuradhapura. Observances on this day are centred round the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, commemorating Arahant Theri Sanghamitta and the planting of the Bodhi Tree.

Meanwhile, the Government has been urged to provide maximum relief to people affected by the recent floods and landslides and also to give priority to restoring all religious sites, including temples, churches, mosques and Hindu kovils that were damaged. According to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, he has received information that a number of temples in the Central, Uva, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, Northern and Eastern Provinces have been damaged. Additionally, many Catholic churches, Hindu kovils and mosques have also been damaged due to the floods, he stated. He emphasised that a formal Government survey should be conducted immediately and that necessary restoration work should commence without delay. During this natural disaster, many people had taken shelter at temples, churches, mosques and kovils and these places of worship provided invaluable support to the affected communities. Therefore, Rajapaksa stressed that the Government should take immediate steps to restore the affected religious sites. He further stated that he has instructed the SLPP regional organisers to extend their support for restoration activities. They have already been informed to coordinate with the regional secretaries and assist in the restoration of all affected religious sites, Rajapaksa added.