Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the new Sangamittarama Silmatha training institute in Arippuwa, Anuradhapura yesterday. Here, Ven. Kadawala Nandarathana Thera and Ven. Kotmale Kumara Kassapa Thera handing over a Tab containing electronic Tripitaka and Tripitaka handbooks to the Prime Minister for the use of trainee Sil Mathas. (Picture courtesy Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the new Sangamittarama Silmatha Training Institute in Arippuwa, Anuradhapura yesterday.

This facility designed to accommodate around 30 Sil Mathas over a seven day training period was set up with the aim of developing the knowledge of the Sil Mathas on the Tripitaka Dhamma.

All lectures, supervision of the course and operations would be conducted by the Bhikku lecturers of the Anuradhapura Bhikku University. All other facilities for this programme would be provided by the Buddhist Affairs Department.

During this programme, Ven. Kadawala Nandarathana Thera and Kotmale Kumara Kassapa Thera handed over 30 Tabs containing electronic Tripitaka and Tripitaka handbooks to the Prime Minister to be used by the trainee Sil Mathas.

Members of the Maha Sangha and Bhikkunis’ were present on this occasion. Minister S.M. Chandrasena, State Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, Shehan Semasinghe and Channa Jayasumana were also present.