| {"Header": ["\nPresident signs gazette notification declaring patriots in Uva-Wellassa uprising"], "Time": ["\n01 Mar, 2017\t", "| 6:23 pm ", "\n"], "Url": "https://www.newsfirst.lk/2017/03/01/thirty-two-patriots-sl-declared-uva-wellassa-uprising-president-sign-gazette-notification/", "Content": "Thirty-two heroes who had been sentenced to capital punishment and branded as traitors by the British following the 1818 Uva-Wellassa Rebellion was named as patriots. The historic ceremony was held today, March 01, at the Magul Maduwa in Kandy under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. The president signed a gazette notification which names these individuals as ‘Patriots of Sri Lanka’. At the occasion, the president noted that it is an important day to all Sinhala Buddhists in the country as well as all Sri Lankans, and that it is a moment of pride for Maha Sangha. In response to a request made by the Maha Sangha, the President said that as per the advice of the Reverend Maha Sangha, the issues in the land deeds have been rectified and that those lands will be vested for the activities of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. “I must also mention that the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers have been given instructions to engage in the development activities surrounding the Bogambara Prison premises taking in to account the cultural importance of the premises”, he added."} |