SriLanka, Oct. 25 -- The Government has allocated Rs. 4 billion to develop the Anuradhapura Sacred Area, with funds earmarked for 26 development projects. The Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Department of National Physical Planning had previously prepared development plans for the Sacred Area. However, these could not be implemented due to insufficient budgetary allocations.

The Anuradhapura Sacred Area was originally declared under the Town and Country Planning Ordinance No. 13 of 1946 through Gazette No. 159 dated September 18, 1981.

The current development programme covers approximately 28 to 32 square kilometres across 16 Grama Niladhari divisions within the Nuwaragam Palatha Central Divisional Secretariat Division.

The a...