President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed an allocation of Rs. 500 million for 2027 to advance the development of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, with plans to improve facilities for pilgrims, rehabilitate roads and strengthen waste management while protecting its historical and archaeological heritage.

Presenting the 2027 Budget in Parliament today (12), the President said Anuradhapura was a site of national and international importance, with a unique concentration of historical, archaeological, religious and cultural heritage representing Sri Lanka's Buddhist civilisation.

The proposed development programme will focus on improving facilities required by devotees while safeguarding the city's archaeological and religious values for future generations.

An advisory council, co-chaired by the Acting Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, has already been established to monitor and guide the programme.

The Urban Development Authority has estimated the overall development cost at Rs. 8.2 billion, while the Central Cultural Fund has already allocated Rs. 1.076 billion for activities in 2027. The additional Rs. 500 million has been proposed through the 2027 Budget.

The President also announced a broader allocation of Rs. 7 billion to promote artistic and cultural activities associated with Sri Lanka's different ethnicities and religions.

Under a separate initiative, sacred places and historical artefacts will be digitally documented and preserved using advanced technologies, including 3D laser scanning, to protect the country's cultural heritage against natural disasters and weather-related damage.

Meanwhile, Rs. 722 million has been allocated to rehabilitate 1,328 religious places of worship damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, including Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian places of worship.