State Minister of Defence looks into the welfare of the monks at
flood affected Somawathiya area
January 01, 2024
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon along with the Chief Incumbent of Somawathiya Viharaya made an inspection visit the flood affected Somawathiya sacred area yesterday (Dec. 31) to inquire into the well-being of the monks and people living there. This area is experiencing floods after heavy rains in the Polonnaruwa District. The State Minister reached the shrine in a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter.
Due to the floods authorities face difficulties in continuously providing food and other facilities to the resident monks and people of Somavati shrine and surrounding areas. The State Minister instructed officials to obtain Sri Lanka Navy’s assistance in this regard.
The State Minister also instructed the officials to launch a cleaning program around the sacred area with the assistance of the Civil Defence Department to prevent the spread of diseases such as dengue, diarrhea and cholera after the flood had subsided.
