Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Presidential council established to oversee Anuradhapura sacred site development
Sri Lanka has created a Presidential Advisory Council to guide integrated heritage conservation and development initiatives across the Anuradhapura Sacred Area. The council brings together senior religious and academic leaders to coordinate planning and implementation of preservation programmes.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
A Presidential Advisory Council has been formally constituted to oversee strategic decision-making regarding the conservation, management and development of the Anuradhapura Sacred Area, one of Sri Lanka's most significant Buddhist heritage sites. The council will coordinate integrated heritage preservation efforts while implementing broader development programmes within the region.
The advisory body comprises key religious authorities and academic leaders, including the Acting Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, the Chancellor of Rajarata University, and the General Secretary of the Maha Vihara Sangha Council. The multi-stakeholder composition reflects the government's commitment to balancing spiritual, cultural and institutional perspectives in managing the sacred area.
Anuradhapura, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains some of Buddhism's most revered monuments and remains a major pilgrimage destination. The establishment of the advisory council signals an attempt to harmonise heritage conservation efforts with planned development activities, ensuring that expansion and modernisation initiatives respect the site's religious and historical significance.
The council's formation underscores the administration's focus on preserving Sri Lanka's ancient Buddhist heritage while addressing contemporary management challenges facing major cultural sites across the island.