Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-05-15

Amendment to the Sri Lanka Bhikku University Act

- The Sri Lanka Bhikku University, established with the objective of imparting the Buddhist monks with knowledge required for the furtherance of Buddhism, is presently carrying out a significant mission in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka. A proposal has now been made to amend the Bhikku University Act, No.26 of 1996 incorporating provision to provide opportunities for the laymen as well to follow post graduate degree courses in view of the great keenness shown not only among the Bhikkus but also the laymen relating to the Buddhist education, also inclusive of several amendments important in the current context, Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Kabir Hashim, the then Minister of Higher Education and Highways to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft amending legislation for the purpose also taking into consideration the concurrence given by Hon. (Dr.) Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, the present Minister of Higher Education & Cultural Affairs, in that regard, was approved by the Cabinet.