An advisory council has been appointed to guide the implementation of development programmes in the Anuradhapura sacred city, the President’s Media Division said.
The council will be co-chaired by Ven. Itthalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Thero, the Atamasthanadhipathi (chief prelate of the Atamasthana, the eight sacred places of Anuradhapura), and Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, the Chief of Staff to the President.
The President’s Media Division said the purpose of the council is to provide the advice and guidance needed to carry out the development programmes in the sacred city.
Background
Anuradhapura, in the North Central Province, was the island’s first great royal capital and is among its most important Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Atamasthana is the name given to eight sacred places in the city, which include the Sri Maha Bodhi, the Ruwanwelisaya and the Thuparamaya. Their upkeep and the management of the surrounding sacred area involve temples, state institutions and local authorities.
What it means
Pilgrims, residents and traders in Anuradhapura are the people most directly affected by any development work in the sacred area. The council has been set up to advise on how the programmes are carried out; the announcement did not list individual projects.
