Buddhist Advisory Council says more discussions are needed on the registration of new shrines

The Maha Sangha of the Presidential Buddhist Advisory Council pointed out that it is important to hold further discussions before reaching a definite conclusion regarding the registration of new places of worship.

There was a lengthy discussion on the construction and maintenance of new places of worship, the conduct of Sunday Dhamma Schools, regarding the “Vihara and Devalagam Act”, the surveying of lands owned by the Department of Archaeology in the North and East and the amendment of the Archaeological Ordinance.

The Maha Sangha said the registration of temples centred on sites with artefacts should be done under the recommendation and supervision of the Department of Archaeology.

The decision taken so far regarding the amendment of the Archaeological Ordinance was reviewed and Commissioner General of Archaeology, Anura Manatunga said that the Act could be presented to Parliament in the next few months.