It should be understood that a university is not a school - Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

The Prime Minister made these observations while addressing the gathering on the occasion of conferring the title of Sanghanayake of Uva Wellassa Divisions to the Chief Incumbent of historical Yudagana Rajamaha Vihara, Karmacharya of Asgiri Maha Vihara, Venerable Galtamwatte Dharmakeerthi Sri Chandrajothi Nandarathana Nayaka Thera held at Yudagana Rajamaha Vihara on 18.03.2023.

The Prime Minister delivering the speech stated that the contribution, leadership, effort and innovative concepts of Venerable Nandarathana Thera to make this Yudagana temple a more preferable place of worship must be mentioned with gratitude. "On behalf of the government, we offer you our respect", he said.

Yudaganawa and Dematamal Viharaya are immortal places in history. Our great kings in the past were able to set foot on this sacred place of worship that united Sambuddha Shasana and the entire nation. Thus they were blessed. That way the Maha Sangha advised and guided our kings to safegurad and sustain our nation and Sambuddha Shasana.

Venerable Nandarathana Thera often explains to me that our motherland, the Sambuddha Shasana and the development of temples are all inter-connected.

Thousands of pilgrims who come here can remember the history again. The people of our country both in the past and present engaged in cultivations and visit this area on pilgrimage after reaping the harvest. The guidance of Maha sangha to lead the nation forward is a tremendous strength. The importance of this place is further conserved by its process of educating and disseminating information for the benefit of the pilgrims. We wish our Nandarathana Thera, who is entrusted with this great responsibility today, the life long strength and good health.

In the uncertain world in which we live, if we follow the teachings of the Buddha, we can eliminate evil. But we are in a world that is looking for material things surpassing the spirituality. The results of abandoning the middle path and leading lives based on needs have affected not only our country but also other countries of the world.

Buddhist monks enter university after college and piriven life.

Due to the lack of understanding that a university is not a school, today that great environment full of universal knowledge is turning into a school environment. To prevent it, those institutions should be strengthened. The importance of adding the spiritual endowment is very much evident today.

Everyone should have the determination to implement the process for the protection of the Sambuddha Shasana nationally from one ideology.

We will work together with you in the process of strengthening this place of worship under your guidance, Prime Minister concluded.
Maha sangha including Anamaduve Sri Dhammadassi Thera- Anunayake of Asgiri Maha Vihara sect graced the occasion while State Ministers Shashindra Rajapaksa, Jagath Pushpakumara, Vijitha Berugoda, Members of Parliament Kumarasiri Ratnayake, Gayashan Navanandana, Yadamini Gunawardena, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, W. Dharmasena and a large number of contributors including , Kataragama Basnaike Nilame Dishan Gunasekara attended the event.