Ven. Dr. Madoluwawe Sobitha Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Naga Viharaya, Kotte, has wholeheartedly supported a proposal by Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana to get the assistance of the Royal Norwegian Government to establish a Buddhist temple in the Oslo city, Norway.

"The Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Association in Norway informed us that they too are keen to establish a Buddhist temple in Norway," the prelate said in a statement.

The statement further said:

"Dr Jayalath Jayawardana, MP, facilitated a visit for us to participate at an International Conference in Oslo, Norway under the title, "Peace and Reconciliation in Southeast Asia."

"Ven. Dr Brahmanawatte Seevali Nayake Thera Chief Incumbent of the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya, Jaffna and Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya and I were present at this Conference.

"The national problem of Sri Lanka too was discussed in detail at this Conference. We were able to brief the delegates about the opinion of the Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka. We emphasized the fact that there should be a negotiated political settlement within one country, which has to be accepted by all communities in Sri Lanka.

"We had the opportunity of meeting Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment & International Development along with Jon Hanssen Bauer, Norwegian Special Envoy for the Sri Lankan Peace Process at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, Oslo along with Dr. Jayawardana. We had a very cordial discussions. During this meeting, Dr. Jayawardana requested the assistance of the Royal Norwegian Government to establish a Buddhist temple in the Oslo city, Norway, for the benefit of Sri Lankan Buddhists living in Norway.