Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2019-03-06

Declaration of the Thripitaka as a World Heritage

- On 05th January 2019, The Thripitaka containing its Commentaries (attakatha) transcribed in Pali and Sinhala languages was declared as a National Heritage by H.E the President at the historical Aluwiharaya in Matale and a Gazette Notification dated 07th February 2019 has been issued to that effect. It has been scheduled to hand over the proposal for the declaration of the Thripitaka as a World Heritage to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 23rd March 2019 which has already been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Accordingly, with a view to making this event a success, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, to conduct a countrywide programme named “Thripitakabhivandana” with the participation of the public during the period from 16th March to 23rd March, to conduct the National Ceremony related to the declaration of the Thripitaka as a World Heritage in the premises of the Maha Maluwa (Great Terrace) of the Tempe of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy and to make the necessary arrangements in that regard, was approved by the Cabinet.