India and Sri Lanka signed a MoU to develop Ven Maduluwave Sobitha Thero Village (Elapathagama) in Anuradhapura District on July 14, 2017.  

The MoU was signed by Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka W.K.K. Athukorala, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Construction in the presence of Honourable Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya. 

Members of the Buddhist clergy, former First Lady of Sri Lanka Hema Premadasa, several MPs, senior state officials and Ravi Jayawardhana, Chairman of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero Commemoration Foundation and other board members of the foundation participated in the event. 

The village will be developed using a grant of SLR 300 million from the Indian Government. The project envisages construction of 153 new houses, a multipurpose community building and alms hall, internal water supply system and renovation of Monk’s Quarters & library.

This project is in line with Government of Sri Lanka’s policy of rehabilitation of rural villages for economic development. It will benefit 153 families residing in the village.