A Presidential Advisory Council comprising 32 members has been appointed to oversee decision-making related to development programmes within the Anuradhapura Sacred City, while ensuring the protection of its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural heritage.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the council has been established to facilitate integrated heritage conservation, management, planning and development within the sacred area.
The council will be co-chaired by the Acting Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, Most Venerable Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilaka Nayaka Thera, and Chief of Presidential Staff Prabhath Chandrakeerthi.
Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilaka Thera also serves as the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Chaithyarama, Chancellor of Rajarata University, General Secretary of the Mahavihara Sangha Council and Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province.
The council includes senior Buddhist monks, government officials, academics, archaeologists, heritage conservation specialists and representatives of several state institutions.
Among its members are Ven. Professor Kallanchiye Rathanasiri, Chief Incumbent of the Abhayagiriya Chaithyarama, Ven. Kahalle Gnaninda, Chief Incumbent of the Thuparama Chaithyarama, and Ven. Kahatagollawe Medhankara, former Deputy Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India.
Representatives from the Department of Archaeology, Central Cultural Fund, Urban Development Authority, National Physical Planning Department and other relevant institutions have also been appointed to the council.
The membership further includes officials from the Anuradhapura Municipal Council, district administration, Police, irrigation, road development, electricity, water supply and tourism sectors, alongside experts in archaeology, architecture, urban planning and heritage conservation.
According to the PMD, the council has been entrusted with establishing an integrated decision-making mechanism to ensure that development activities within the Anuradhapura Sacred City are carried out while safeguarding its archaeological, historical, religious and cultural significance. (Newswire)