764 religious places damaged due to Ditwah cyclone: Minister

Colombo, Dec. 9 (Daily Mirror) - Some 764 religious places, including Buddhist temples, Churches and Mosques, have been partially or completely damaged due to the Ditwah cyclone, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Sunil Senevi said today.

He told a news conference that 379 Buddhist temples, 165 Hindu Kovils, 63 Catholic Churches and 157 Mosques have been damaged.

The Minister said 18 cultural centres have also been damaged in several districts due to the disaster situation.

He said the government will take the responsibility to restore and reconstruct all the religious places and added that it will be done in several stages.

He said the government will provide the Rs. 25,000 initial grant for cleaning and other initial work to start religious practices.

The Minister said estimates have already been called for the partially damaged religious places.

He said the government has planned to conduct religious activities to invoke blessings on those lost lives and displaced due to the cyclone, adding that a Pirith chanting ceremony will take place in Hunupitiya Gangaramaya at 8 pm tomorrow night.

He said Islamic religious activities will take place at Wellawatte Jumma Masjid, Catholic religious activities at St. Joseph's Church and Hindu religious activities at Kathiresan Kovils in Bambalapitiya.