Hon. Ajith P. Perera
2026-02-18
Hon. Ajith P. Perera directs a written question (No. 1846/2026) to the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs seeking detailed information regarding gold and jewellery assets held by the Kataragama Dewalaya. The question requests disclosure of the total weight of these items, confirmation of whether a proposal exists to sell them and remit proceeds to the Government, the security arrangements in place pending any auction, and the proposed sale methodology. The question implies parliamentary concern over the potential monetisation of religious temple assets and the transparency and safeguarding of such items during the process.
Question to the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs (Q. No. 1846/2026):
(a) Will he inform this House—
(i) the aggregate weight of jewellery and other gold items currently in the custody of the Kataragama Dewalaya;
(ii) whether a proposal has been made to sell all or part of the jewellery and remit the proceeds to the Government;
(iii) if so, the measures taken to ensure the security of the gold items until an auction is conducted; and
(iv) the method proposed to be followed for the sale of the gold items?
(b) If not, why?