Colombo, May 23 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that a Presidential Task Force will be appointed under the Defense Secretary to conduct a comprehensive survey of archaeological sites in the East and to take measures to preserve them.
A press release said on Friday that several parties had voiced their concerns regarding the destruction of historical monuments.
After considering all aspects, a broad program will be launched with the support of the Department of Archaeology in order to preserve historic sites, the release said.
The President expressed these views during the second meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat today (22) with the Buddhist Advisory Council which is scheduled to meet on the third Friday every month.
The Maha Sanga enlightened the President on the necessity of a religious discourse due to the misconduct of certain monks that will cause discredit to Buddhism and the Tripitaka. The President said steps could be taken to rectify the situation during his tenure of office if corrective measures are proposed.
The Buddhist Advisory Council discussed at a length on Pirivena education and school education system in the country. The Maha Sanga pointed out how attempts were made to remove Literature and History from school curricula during certain periods in the past. While pointing out that education is the first and foremost priority in his election manifesto President said preliminary steps have already been taken to implement a National Education Policy.
The Maha Sangha stressed the need of effective implementation of a comprehensive program to defeat the drug menace threatening the country. The Theros further said that there is a huge responsibility lies with the Maha Sangha in this regard in the same manner as that of the government.
President Rajapaksa said that large quantities of drugs that were smuggled into the country were seized within a very short period of time. He further said that he will take every possible step to control the prevailing situation to the maximum level as well as to totally eliminate the drug menace from the country.
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