Sri Lanka, May 14 -- A country can only develop if its society is civilised, disciplined, virtuous, and prosperous, and the Maha Sangha performs a unique task in building such an excellent society.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made these remarks while attending a ceremony held to confer the Chief Sanghanayake position of the Rajawanni and Kumarawanni divisions of the Malwatta Chapter upon Venerable Anamaduwe Dharma Keerthi Sri Pagnananda Gnanananda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Anamaduwa Paramakanda Rajamaha Vihara.

Religious sites centred around village and city temples perform a special role in making society a better place, and the Opposition Leader stated that protection and strength must be provided to religious leaders, ...