July 23, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Ministry of Power and Energy to charge a concessionary rate for the electricity bills of all religious places in the country.

According to the government sources he has given this instruction when he met religious dignitaries at the Temple Trees yesterday.

The President has also, informed the religious persons that a program will be launched to distribute low electricity consuming CFL bulbs to the religious places free of charge. He has added that steps would be taken to protect the right of every citizen to have a religion of his choice. He has underscored that the amalgamation of all separate ministries of religions was done for this purpose.

Meanwhile, at a discussion held with officials of Lumbini Temple in India, the President has instructed to speed up the reconstruction process of the Temple and Dutugamunu Pilgrims Rest. A sum of 84 million rupees has been allocated for these projects, said the sources.