President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 32-member Presidential Advisory Council to oversee decisions on development programmes within the Anuradhapura Sacred City, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The council has been set up to support integrated heritage conservation, management, planning and development in the sacred area, while protecting its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural value, according to the PMD.
It will be co-chaired by the Acting Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, Most Venerable Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilaka Nayaka Thera, and the Chief of Presidential Staff, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi. Ven. Gnanatilaka Thera is also Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Chaithyarama, Chancellor of Rajarata University, General Secretary of the Mahavihara Sangha Council and Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province.
Senior Buddhist monks sit on the council alongside government officials, academics, archaeologists and heritage conservation specialists. Named members include Ven. Professor Kallanchiye Rathanasiri, Chief Incumbent of the Abhayagiriya Chaithyarama, Ven. Kahalle Gnaninda, Chief Incumbent of the Thuparama Chaithyarama, and Ven. Kahatagollawe Medhankara, a former Deputy Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India.
State institutions represented include the Department of Archaeology, the Central Cultural Fund, the Urban Development Authority and the National Physical Planning Department. Officials from the Anuradhapura Municipal Council, the district administration, the Police and the irrigation, road development, electricity, water supply and tourism sectors have also been appointed, together with experts in archaeology, architecture, urban planning and heritage conservation.
The PMD said the council has been entrusted with establishing an integrated decision-making mechanism so that development work in the Sacred City is carried out while safeguarding its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural significance.
Background
Anuradhapura, in the North Central Province, was the island’s first ancient capital and is among the most important sites of Theravada Buddhism. The Sacred City area contains major stupas, monasteries and the Sri Maha Bodhi, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It draws large numbers of pilgrims and visitors every year.
The Atamasthana, or eight sacred places, is the name given to a group of the most revered sites in the city. Its chief incumbent holds a senior position among the Buddhist clergy of the area.
Work inside the Sacred City involves many separate bodies. The Department of Archaeology and the Central Cultural Fund deal with heritage sites, local authorities run municipal services, and other agencies handle roads, water, electricity and tourism. The new council brings representatives of these bodies together with the clergy and specialists in one forum.
What it means
For residents, pilgrims and businesses in and around Anuradhapura, the council is the body that will weigh development proposals against the protection of heritage in the Sacred City. Projects such as road works, water and power supply, tourism facilities and urban planning inside the area fall within its remit, according to the PMD’s description of its role.
The PMD statement does not give a timetable for the council’s first meeting or say how often it will meet. It also does not describe whether its decisions will be binding on the agencies involved.
