Rajapaksa rejects PM’s proposal

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has shot down a proposal by Prime Minister and Buddha Sasana Minister D.M. Jayaratne to hold an international Buddhist conference to mark the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi in Sri Lanka.

The Premier had made the proposal in a Cabinet paper discussed by ministers at last Wednesday’s meeting.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that there were several temples in the country which did not have the basic needs. He said some leading temples in the Moneragala District could be developed with the funds that would be spent for an international conference.