He made these remarks participating in a religious ceremony held at the Bopitiya Siri Indrasabha Piriven Viharaya in Mathugama, on Saturday (22).

The President said that the Theravada Buddhism is the most valuable treasure we have to move forward as a significant state in today’s world as well as in the future too. He further said that initiatives will be implemented in parallel to the International Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo to make Sri Lanka a Centre to propagate Theravada Buddhism in the world.

This religious ceremony was organized to present the Scroll to the Most. Ven. Bopitiya  Gnawasa  Anu Nayaka thero for being elevated to the position of the Anu Nayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya.

After presenting the Scroll to the Most Ven. Bopitiya  Gnawasa  Anu Nayaka thero, the President appreciated the religious and social services rendered by the Thero.

Addressing the gathering the President said that as an alternative, to meet the future electricity crisis, the Government has taken steps to implement a new national initiative to generate the electricity through renewable energy generation using the natural resources.

By now the Government has implemented programs to introduce solar power generating system to generate the electricity. The government has also initiated a national program to plant 10 million Gliricidia tree saplings, a plant used for generation of electricity, the President said.

Speaking further, the President said if someone sees this program as a small initiative, if it is properly implemented it will be a major investment for the future of this country.

The President said that the government during the last 20 months was dedicated to develop the country transforming economic and political structure in the country. He said the government’s aim is to march forward as a strong and independent country.