On a request by the Buddhasasana karya Sadhaka Balakaya, the government has given an assurance that a Sambuddha Jayanthi Secretariat would be set up at the Presidential Secretariat and a steering committee appointed to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of Buddha’s Enlightenment that falls in the year 2011, Ven Prof Bellanwila Wimalaratana said last week.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has ordered the Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment Ministry to undertake the task and appoint the steering committee comprising venerable monks and lay Buddhist leaders with a longstanding commitment to the cause of Sasana, he said.

"A three year Plan of Action have been initiated by the government together with the Maha Nayakas of the three Nikayas for the purpose," said Ven Tirukunamale Ananda thera.

Speaking about some of the key proposals made by the Buddha Sasana Karya Sadhaka Mandalaya, Ven Diviyagaha Yasassi thera said that immediate steps should be taken to table the Buddha Sasana Bill and the Bill for Registration of the Nikaya Kathikavat, the implementation of the recommendations of the Buddha Sasana Presidential Commission of 2002 and that Sambuddha Jayanthi Commemorative celebrations should be organized in conjunction with the government of India in the sacred city of Buddha Gaya so that Buddhist from all over the world could participate.

This event would be a golden opportunity to bring unity among all Buddhists in the world; to gain an insight into the problems the Buddhists are facing in the practice of their religion, and also economically, socially and morally; to find solutions to these problems; and in general to make Buddhist Thought and Buddhist Way of Life a collective reality, the prelate said.

It has also been decided to have the media actively involved in the commemoration event, as it can play a significant role in this regard, he said.

"It has also been proposed that holding private tuition classes on Poya days and Sunday mornings should be legally prohibited".

The State and other institutions should refrain from holding functions devoid of Buddhist significance on Poya days and