President will propose to set up Mahavihara University during his visit in Japan – UNP Gen. Sec.

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will discuss the establishment of a Mahavihara University during his visit to Japan to propagate Theravada Buddhism throughout the world.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Sirikotha party headquarters recently.

“The President does not use the country’s wealth unnecessarily by spending a lot of money on foreign trips and taking a large delegation with him. It is his principle in his entire political practice. During this visit to Japan, the establishment of a Mahavihara university will be discussed to propagate Theravada Buddhism throughout the world. Many people criticised the President as someone who does not know Buddhism. The people now know who Ranil Wickremesinghe is because he is taking steps to popularise Theravada Buddhism enabling anyone to study it,” he said.

“During this visit, he will also discuss the resumption of the light rail programme implemented by President Wickremesinghe when he was the Prime Minister as a solution to traffic congestion in Colombo. Therefore, we can resume this light rail line project in 2024 with the help of Japan,” Palitha Range Bandara added.