Inter-religious programs launched to pray for victims of Cyclone Ditwah

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Dec. 9 (Daily Mirror) - A series of inter-religious programs will be held across Sri Lanka from today (09) to seek blessings for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and the floods, and to offer prayers for those who lost their lives, Minister of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (08), the minister said the program series will begin tonight at Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Seemamalaka with a Pirith Dhamma sermon. Alms will be offered to 100 monks tomorrow morning (10) to pray for the victims of the disaster.

Religious services will also be conducted at several other places of worship, including:

• Bambalapitiya Kadiresan Kovil for Hindu devotees
• Grandpass St. Joseph’s Church for Catholic devotees
• St. Paul’s Church, Colombo 08 for Christians at 7 pm
• Wellawatte Jumma Mosque for Muslims at 3.45 pm

Dr. Senevi highlighted the extent of damage to religious sites caused by the cyclone and floods: 379 Buddhist temples, 165 kovils, 63 Christian churches, and 157 Muslim mosques have been affected.

He added that a grant of Rs. 25,000 will be provided to each religious place to repair and rebuild those that were completely or partially damaged.