The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi

¶ 01 We have already been allocated land exceeding 25 acres, so there is no issue in incurring that expenditure. The project is progressing well. Accordingly, by the third week of December, we can achieve very high financial and physical progress.

¶ 02 (11) Hon. Speaker, our allocations are divided under three main heads.

¶ 03 One is the expenditure provisions under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, detailed separately in Annex 01B 2580; I will speak to that shortly. Next, the Department of Buddhist Affairs has allocations, detailed under Annex 02. Then, there are allocations under the Buddhasasana Fund, detailed extensively under Annex 03.

¶ 04 Hon. Leader of the Opposition, you asked that the allocations made this time for those programmes be presented separately. Under the Ministry’s allocations, we have set aside Rs. 1,620 million. From the Department of Buddhist Affairs, Rs. 463.50 million has been allocated. From the Buddhasasana Fund, Rs. 70.3 million is allocated. Altogether, the total allocation is Rs. 2,154 million. As I mentioned earlier, these are detailed in the annexures. I am tabling Annexes 02 and 03 for your perusal.

¶ 05 I will now read a few items from Annex 01 as well.

¶ 06 The following programmes expected to be implemented for the development of the Buddhasasana have been allocated funds under the Ministry of Buddhasasana:

¶ 07 01. Rs. 268 million for the advancement of religious activities. 02. Rs. 118 million for the Punya Grama (Merit Village) Programme. 03. Rs. 25 million for development of places of worship (pooja bhumi). 04. Rs. 150 million for development of rural temples. 05. Rs. 1,408 million for providing solar power facilities to religious temples.

¶ 08 Hon. Speaker, from the point of view of the Department of Buddhist Affairs, a substantial amount has been allocated for activities ancillary to the Buddhasasana. No head has been reduced. For example: the State Vesak Festival, Commemoration of Arahant Mahinda, Upasampada ceremonies, publication of the Tripitaka, facilities for the Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya (Buddhist Advisory Councils), Dhamma school teacher certification examinations, funeral assistance for bhikkhus, publication of the Buddhist Encyclopaedia, printing of Dhamma school textbooks, conduct of Dhamma school grade examinations, the All-Island Students’ Competitions, facilities for Dhamma schools, development of nunneries (sil matha aramaya), and Dhamma school teacher training programmes. Significant funds are allocated for these. The Buddhasasana Fund provides the remaining funds.

¶ 09 I table the annexures.