Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Project Aims to Protect the City, Says Cabinet Spokesperson

28-Oct-2026

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The Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Project is intended to protect and develop the city, not to displace its residents. The same group that conducted racist propaganda at Viharamahadevi Park is now spreading false information about this project, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

He made these remarks at the weekly media briefing on Cabinet decisions held at the Department of Government Information in Colombo on October 27, 2026.

Elaborating on the matter, he said the project had been formulated to develop and protect the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

It was prepared under the guidance of seven senior Buddhist monks, including the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera, with the participation of relevant officials, including the Anuradhapura District Secretary, the Director General of the Department of National Physical Planning, the Divisional Secretary of Nuwaragam Korale, the Inspector General of Police, and representatives of the Department of Archaeology and the Cultural Fund.

Discussions on the project had commenced several months ago, and the President had also participated directly in them.

No disruptive activities would be carried out within the sacred city under the project, and no residents would be forcibly evicted. However, if anyone is found to be residing illegally within the sacred area, steps will be taken to provide alternative housing and relocate them.

“Unfortunately, the same group that engaged in racist propaganda at Viharamahadevi Park has now taken up this issue and is spreading false information. Their only objective is to create suspicion among people on ethnic and religious grounds and destabilise the country,” he said.