Cabinet approves lighting up Mihintale

Power to be supplied throughout the night 

By Yohan Perera   
 Arrangements have been made to light up historic Mihintale throughout the night enabling devotees and tourists to visit the place 24 hours a day.   
 Accordingly, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested a power generation institution to undertake the task.   

 A paper to this effect presented by the premier has been approved by cabinet, Daily Mirror learns.   

 Preparations have also been made to eventually light up the Atamasthana throughout the night. Accordingly, the Ruwanweliseya, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Mirisawetiya, Jethavanaramaya and Abhayagiriya will be lit up all night.   

 Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to resolve the issues pertaining to the availability of elephants for the peraheras. Prime Minister had already discussed with the Mahanayaka Theras and the Nilames with regard to this matter.   
Sources said the objective of this exercise by the Prime Minister is to give legal provisions for the temples to keep elephants.