Kandy - The Lunugamvehera Buddhist Temples Development Project, which has as its objective the development of the country through the development of village temples, will be launched in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Lunugamvehera, a delegation from the Lunugamvehera Dharnagama Development Forum told the Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.

The delegation led by the Director of the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Nedimala, Dehiwala, Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Nayake Thero and President, Sahanoda Foundation, Attidiya, Dehiwala briefed the Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte and the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayaka Thero of Asgiriya on the aims and aspirations of the Dharmagrama Development Forum.

The concept of the Forum, the delegation explained, is to firstly develop the village Buddhist Temple which occupied a significant place in the socio-economic system of the Sinha-Buddhist Community of the country until disturbed by the foreign influence, the delegation told the prelates.

It has now become imperative to re-introduce the inherited life-style of the inhabitants of the Sinhala island and develop the village shrines with the cooperation of the occupants of the village and with the support of outsiders.

Many Vihares and monasteries of the Sangha in Sri Lanka, particularly in the distant rural sector are in a poor state and the members of the Sangha are compelled to sacrifice mentally and physically for the sake of the religion, the delegation said. The programme will be extended all over island, they said.

The poverty rampant among the villagers has led to the poor state of the shrines. As such both, the shrines and the rural masses, should be given a helping hand to rise from the state of penury, the delegation stressed.

Taking advantage of the abject poverty of the villagers NGOs both local and foreign enter the remote village in the guise of rescuers and engage in activities such as religious conversions the delegation noted.

The Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya praised the objectives of the Dharmagrama Development Forum and gave their blessings.

The delegation presented copies of the project booklet to the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela and the Deputy Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs, Kandy P. V. M. S. B. Udowita.