26 August 2023 12:00 am Views - 102
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Expressing his dismay over the disconnection of electricity supply to the Dimbulagala forest hermitage (Aranyasenasana), Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the government to stop disconnecting power supply to places of religious worship.
It has been done over non-payment of the electricity bill amounting to Rs.5.7 million.
“Government should stop disconnecting power supply provided to temples and other places of worship and restore the connection of Dimbulagala hermitage and other places of worship. Introduce some programme which is aimed at providing continuous power supply to the temples and other places of worship!” Mr. Premadasa said.
“Government is bound by the Constitution to give the foremost place to Buddhism and to ensure the right of the people to follow any other faith. Disconnecting power supply for places of worship therefore is a disturbing trend,” he added.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Mr. Premadasa settled the outstanding electricity bill of historic Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara which amounted to Rs. 4.1 million. The power supply of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara was disconnected on August 4, this year.
Mr. Premadasa took steps to settle the bill and get the supply back.