January 26, Colombo (LNW): A new nationwide initiative to rebuild religious and heritage sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah is set to be formally launched tomorrow under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President’s Media Division has announced.
The programme, titled Godanagamu Adhisthanaye Sanhinda, is intended to address the widespread destruction caused by the cyclone, which affected more than 1,000 places of religious, cultural and archaeological significance across the country. Many of these sites remain unusable for regular worship and community activities.
The restoration effort will be carried out under the guidance of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, with an emphasis on accelerating reconstruction work while preserving the historical and spiritual value of the affected locations. Officials say the initiative aims not only to repair physical damage but also to help communities regain access to spaces central to their religious and cultural life.
