Rs 10 million from the Central Cultural Fund for improving tourism facilities of the Jathika Namal Uyana...
In line with the 33rd anniversary of the Jathika Namal Uyana the ceremony to pay tribute to the electronic and print media organizations that have shouldered the responsibility of preserving the Namal Uyana for future generations was held today (30.04.2024) at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
Senior journalists Edmon Ranasinghe, Siri Ranasinghe and other journalists and media organizations were appreciated at the event.
An agreement was also signed with the University of Peradeniya to preserve the Jathika Namal Uyana for the next generation and to release the draft report of the archaeological research on the historical Namal Uyana.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena speaking at the event commented that -
"We are happy to remember the two editors, Edman Ranasinghe of the Island and Siri Ranasinghe of the Lankadeepa, who made the source of knowledge and the message of the development of the nation. As mentioned by Vanasi Rahula Thera of Namal Uyana, media organizations enlightened the nation. With that national great awakening that brought about by authors, writers, journalists and various media organizations, our Nayaka Thera has intervened to endow Namal Uyana to our country.
Historians, archaeologists and various researchers may have come across the Pink quartz mountain range in Namal Uyana, which has a history of centuries. But it is Ven. Rahula Thera who makes the Namal Uyana another great gift, surprising the world. He is the creator and protector as well as the guide who has successfully completed the task of protecting the Pink Quartz mountain range, making it a national heritage and giving it as a heritage to the nation. Having spent more than thirty consecutive years Ven. Rahula Thera deserves that merit again and again.
The world looked at us because of the continuity, existence, pride and invincible heritage of a nation with more than five thousand years of heritage. The world came to us. We had trouble during the colonial times. They went back. But Namal Uyana remained the same.
It was you who protected the pink quartz mountain range and bequeathed a biologically diverse garden to future generations amid great difficulties.
Namal Uyana and Pink quartz mountain range need to be further protected and developed. The world does not stop research. The world is engaged in continuous research. Namal Uyana is also a center dedicated to continuous research. Sri Lanka has become a center of research for the researchers of our country as well as other countries of the world.
When I was a minister, we joined forces to build Dambulla from the state it was in that day. I gave you the headquarters that you expected for the protection of pink quartz mountain range and after that that center became the voice of revival of Dambulla. Today, Dambulla has become a sleepless city. Dambulu city became an attractive city for tourists and pilgrims due to your dedication.
The example given by the Venerable Thera through duty and commitment is very important. The strength of his program to protect this noble gift in the midst of difficulties and prepare it properly was researchers, journalists interested in that research and university students looking for new things. He who followed the path of The Buddha never got panic and passed this difficult journey with patience."
President Ranil Wickremesinghe had sent a felicitation message and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena presented it to the gathering.
The founder of the Jathika Namal Uyana, Vanavasi Rahula Thera, spspeaking said that -
"March 28 marked the thirty-third anniversary of the establishment of the Jathika Namal Uyana. This event is being held today to commemorate it. It was possible to hold a ceremony like this today at the Temple Trees because the electronic and print media of the country supported me to start the Jathika Namal Uyana and take that message to the country.
Edmon Ranasinghe, Siri Ranasinghe, current Island Editor-in-Chief Narada Nishshanka, current Lakehouse Editorial Board Director Sisira Paranathanthri and all the other electronic and print media brought me here today. I will not forget it. Through your camera, your pen you took Jathika Namal Uyana to the world. My conscience knows I am doing the right thing. Namal Uyana was handed over to the Central Cultural Fund five years ago. The Central Cultural Fund should work to maintain the Namal Uyana properly.
Today we are signing an agreement with Peradeniya University to protect Namal Uyana for future generations. The Department of Archaeology, the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Forest Conservation should jointly protect the Jathika Namal Uyana. I think that there is no modernization or vision in the Central Cultural Fund. As they say, the circulars and the laws have become an obstacle."
Deshamanya awards were also presented to three people who worked for the development of the Jathika Namal Uyana regardless of caste, caste and religion.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura, MPs Duminda Dissanayake, Asanka Navaratne, Yadamini Gunawardena, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, and all other media representatives participated in this event.
Prime Minister’s Media