The National Physical Planning Department has recognized 11 historically significant sites of worship as Holy Land in the Government Gazette.
Under the direction of Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, the ceremony to issue the sansance documents designating certain places as holy land was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on February 15, 2024.
The divisional secretariats of the following: Anuradhapuram Horavbottana, Ambakasveva Ancient Vihara, Puttalam Thankottuwa, Division Bududadana Puradhana, Amparai Pothuvil, Division Muhudu Maha, Gampaha District, Thombe Divisional Secretariat, Methegama, Hambanthotai Uttakandhara, and Trincomalee Kuchhavavi Divisional Secretariat. Yuktika Ashram Sri Chattharma, The Kurunegala Narammala Divisional Secretariat's Dambadeniya Vijaya Sundararama Viharai, Kuchavoy Divisional Secretariat's Shanti Viharai, Kurunakal Kuliapitiya West Divisional Secretariat's Sri Sudharmarama Puradhana Viharai, Gampaha Siddha Kapale Mal Suniyam Church, Yan Oya Viharai of Kuchavoy Divisional Secretariat, and Sagara Pura Sumudugiri Forest Ashram are among the locations designated as holy places.
In the nation, 142 places of worship have been designated as sacred sites thus far.
President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake stated that President Ranil Wickramasinghe of Sri Lanka will make every effort to guarantee the Buddhist Charter's safety.
The President's Secretary, working under the direction of the President, provided information regarding the Government's efforts towards developing the Buddhist Charter. The Secretary also mentioned that projects necessary to initiate the study work of the Maha Viharai, a Theravada Buddhist center, to establish the Maha Viharai University, and to build the Kandy International Buddhist Museum, have been provided.
At the event were also Vidyodaya Privenadhipati, Galli Pradhana Sanganayaka Ven. Palangoda Sobitha Thera, Sri Lankan Maha Nayaka Thera of Amarapura Maha Peedam, Pradhan Sangha Nayaka for the Western Province of Ramagna Maha Peedam, Professor Ven. Medagama Nandavansa Nayaka Thera, and numerous other individuals.
The individuals in attendance included State Minister Shantha Bandara, Parliamentary Samanpriya Herat, Secretary Somaratna Vidhanapathrana of the Ministry of Buddhist Charter and Religious Affairs, Director General of Buddhist Affairs, Director of the Physical Planning Department, and other officials invited to receive the sannes papers.
At the President's Secretariat, the Maha Sangha also conducted Punnyakarma Pujas prior to transferring the Holy Bhumi Sanus Patiras.
