The Dhamma Sarawasiya, which is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs in collaboration with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, will be held at 38 selected centers islandwide. This program is conducted as a two year course and consists of 5 subject units. Lecturers qualified in the basics of Buddhism, Buddhist Civilization, Buddhist Education and Communication, Abhidharma and Buddhist Psychology, and Pali Language Approach will conduct the study on Saturdays from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

The main objective of this course is to impart the necessary Dhamma knowledge to the Dhamma teachers working in the Dhamma Schools who do not have higher education qualifications and to strengthen the services rendered by Nissaranadhyasa in order to create a moral society. The purpose of this program is to equip the Dhamma School teachers with Dhamma knowledge and to fulfill their future goals and to impart Dhamma knowledge to the children.

Directory of Dhamma Sarasawiya Advanced Diploma Courses conducted jointly with “Daham Guru Abhimani” Sri Jayewardenepura University

Course Center

Towards a virtuous, disciplined and just society through the vision of prosperity that the country builds

Program on the Development of the Five Year Strategic Plan of the Department of Buddhist Affairs was held on 17.12.2021 at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Colombo 07.

Discussions focused on new strategies and achievable goals for the next five years. Several new plans were proposed targeting temples and monks, Dhamma schools and its community, as well as all institutions affiliated to the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the community.

The five year strategic plan will be unveiled in the near future. The resource contribution for this program was made by Mrs. Thilaka Jayasundara, Additional Secretary, State Ministry of Smallholder Crop Development Industries and Export Promotion.

A special training and discussion was held today (2021.12.16) with the participation of Buddhist monks and nuns attached to the Department of Buddhist Affairs. Prof. Induragare Dhammaratana Thero also delivered a special address at the event which was held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs.

The seven-day program is based on the fundamentals of the novice novice monk's role in performing Sasana, rituals and world Sasana service.

The novice training program centered on the Devram Maha Viharaya in Pannipitiya will be conducted from 20.11.2021 to 27.11.2021 subject to the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health is scheduled to reopen Buddhist schools on 28.11.2021 in accordance with the guidelines pertaining to Sunday schools in the Code of Conduct on how to carry out public and professional activities to prevent the spread of covid 19.

It is advisable to start the Dhamma School on 28.11.2021 in consultation with the Dhamma School Heads, Teachers, Parents and other relevant stakeholders to prepare a suitable program and organize pre-preparation activities in strict compliance with the Health Guidelines.

According to the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health regarding the Katina Chiwara Pooja to be held in temples island wide during the current Covid epidemic.

The procession carrying the Katina Chiwara, the Katina Chiwara Pooja and the Katinanisansa Dhamma Discourse will be held with the participation of a maximum of 50 devotees.

For the protection of the venerable Maha Sangha and the devotees, I request the Sasana to organize the Noble Katina Chiwara Pooja following all health guidelines.

Sunanda Kariyapperuma

Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs

Served as Deputy Chief Secretary, North Central Province K.P Siribaddana assumed duties as the Additional Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs 20.10.2021.

Covid-19 Symbolic distribution of aid parcels to temples and places of worship that do not have access facilities due to the epidemic situation took place on 2021.6.3 at Temple Trees under the patronage of the Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

 The project was launched on the instructions of the Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs.

 Through this program, dry food parcels will be distributed to all religious places including temples, Silmatha monasteries and other places of worship with the assistance of the CWE.
 Under this, the distribution of aid parcels representing all religions took place symbolically today.  Accordingly, Ven.  Parcels were distributed to Rev. Somasundara.

 The Royal Panditha Venerable Agraharare Kassapa Nayaka Thero and the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangarama Vihara Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero were also present on the occasion.  Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Deshabandu Kapila Gunawardena, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs Sunanda Kariyapperuma and a number of government officials were present at the occasion.

It has been decided not to hold the Dhamma Teacher Certificate Examination which was scheduled to be held on 19.06.2021 due to the Corvid 19 epidemic situation that has arisen in the country.

A special press conference on 2021.05.21 regarding the forthcoming Vesak Festival was held at the Department of Government Information.

It was further stated that in view of the current epidemic of covid 19 diseases, Dana Sheela meditation on the full moon day of Vesak should be performed at home and all the people of the world should be wished with good health.

The Hon. Registrar of the All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Board Ven. Gonaduwe Gunananda Nayaka Thero, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Deshabandu Kapila Gunawardena and Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs Sunanda Kariyapperuma were present at this special press conference.