The Maha Sangha has expressed agreement with Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena to remove illegal constructions along national highways and roads and support an alternative program for the benefit of the economy.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued an order to immediately remove the unauthorised constructions at the Orugudawatta Sri Sambuddhaloka Vihara on Baseline Road, a road leading to the City of Colombo.
To clarify the matter, the Venerable Maha Sangha, including the Chief Incumbent of the temple, engaged in a discussion with Minister Dr. Gunawardena. While acting according to the Court orders, the legal officers of the Road Development Authority (RDA) explained the facts about the legal background and the construction plans of the expressway running on towers which have already been prepared.
The foreign loan assistance to be obtained for that purpose has also been agreed upon.
The Minister told the Maha Sangha that there is no possibility to change the plans as there is full agreement on the relevant plans with all stakeholders. According to the explanations given by the Minister, the representatives of the Maha Sangha and the temple patrons expressed their agreement to support the removal of the unauthorised constructions of the temple by respecting the Court order and considering it as a national development need. Both sides agreed to carry out an on-site investigation by the Minister and other officials and look for a more appropriate alternative course of action.
The Minister told the Maha Sangha that these constructions will not be removed until the appeal decision that has been submitted is received or an agreement is reached for an alternative program. Representatives of the temple patrons, the Chairman and the Director General of RDA, officials of the RDA legal department, and several others joined the discussion.