Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-12-21

Declaring Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya as a Pooja Bhoomi (Sacred Place) by a Gazette Notification

- The historical background of Devagiri Raja MahaViharaya in the Bingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division of Kurunegala district goes back to 204 - 207 BC and several ruins with an archaeological value have been identified within that premises. The Department of National Physical Planning has started to prepare a development plan for the premises coincident with the National Vesak festival in the year 2018, and some of the development activities have been initiated to be implemented with the provisions of the Ministry of Buddhasasana under the consultation of the above Department. Accordingly, the Cabinet considered the information furnished by the Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of Urban Development & Housing that actions have been taken to declare the “Sacred Premises of Devagiri Raja Maha Viiharaya” by the Gazette Notification in terms of the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Ordinance No. 13 of 194, enabling to prepare the said development plan and implement the same.