Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-01-08 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

The Anuradhapura Maha Vihara Development Plan

- Since the Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura is a place with significant religious and historical importance in Sri Lanka, it has been identified the need to implement the exploration and conservation activities of the Maha Viharaya in a formal manner within a specific time frame. Accordingly, upon the notification of Hon. President, Prof. Robbin Coningham, a senior foreign expert with international experience in the field of archaeology has submitted a project report on implementation of the exploration, excavation and conservation project of the Maha Vihara. Through the said project report, it has been proposed to implement this project within a time period of 6 years from 2024 to 2029. The proposal made by the Hon. President to implement the exploration, excavation and conservation activities of the Maha Viharaya as per the project report of Prof. Robbin Coningham, jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural affairs under the direct supervision of the Department of Archaeology and the Central Cultural Fund, was approved by the Cabinet.