On Presidential directive: Temple, devalaya lands to be returned

Lands belonging to temples and Devalayas (Vihara and Devalagam) acquired under the Land Reforms Act are to be returned to the Viharayas and Devalayas following a directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The President has issued this directive in response to a request by Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara last year in the Sannasa presented to the President reporting the successful completion of last year's Esala Maha Perahera.
As an initial step in this re-vesting program the 130 acre Randeniya Estate in Pothuhera, Kurunegala which was taken over by the LRC and handed over to the Coconut Cultivation Board has been returned to its previous owner the Kandy Pattini Devalaya. The documents relating to the revesting were handed over to the Basnayake Nilame of the Kandy Pattini Devalaya Rohan Salinda Paranagama by Coconut Cultivation Board Chairman Sarath Keerthiratne at a ceremony held under the Patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidents House, Kandy on Wednesday in connection with the conclusion of the Kandy Esala Maha Perahera. (Daily News)