We believe in the principles of Lichchavi: PM in Mihintale

By Yohan Perera in Mihintale  
The government has not given up the effort to work in unity, upholding the principles of Lichchavi administration, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.  

The Prime Minister expressed these sentiments in Mihintale. He was responding to remarks made by the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya Venerable Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera that nothing will get done in this country if there is no unity in the government and if the President and the Prime Minister continue to be at loggerheads with each other.  
“The venerable thera made some comments about the government and I would like to say that we have not given up the Lichchavi principles of working in unity,” the Prime Minister said.  
“Also I would like to say that every effort was made to celebrate Vesak and Poson as usual despite the situation created by the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. I talked to all relevant people to see that the two festivals are celebrated as usual. I thank the thera for giving me an opportunity to converse with him through Ministers P. Harrison and Chandrani Bandara. Minister Sajith Premadasa undertook the task of looking into the affairs of the temple as the minister in charge of cultural affairs. Minister Ravi Karunanayake also undertook the task of looking into power supply needs for the temple,” he added.   
Mr. Wickremesinghe also explained that the minister of home affairs had undertaken the task of issuing a gazette notification making Poson a national festival. He said the other requests made by the Thera will also be looked into.  
“Anuradhapura is the beginning of our civilization. There would not have been a Sinhala race if not for Anuradhapura. We accept the historic importance of Mihintale. We will also focus on the Maha Vihare and the Malwathu Oya,” said PM Wickremesinghe.   

I would like to say that we have not given up the Lichchavi principles of working in unity