Aug 16, Anuradhapura: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today declared open the drinking water project constructed for the Thanthirimale sacred area and the villages located around it.

The project at a cost of 180 million rupees was completely carried out by the local engineers. It will provide drinking water facilities for over 10,000 people in the former border village about 40 km northwest of the Anuradhapura city.

The Thanthirimale village, one of the first civilizations in Sri Lanka, was constantly subjected to Tamil Tiger terrorist attacks when the LTTE terrorist group controlled the North and East of Sri Lanka.

The President also declared open the archeological museum which has been set up in the Thanthirimale ancient Buddhist Temple premises.

Maha Sangha including Atamasthanadipathi Venerable Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero and Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Seya Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, Chief Incumbent of Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara Venerable Thanthirimale Chandrarathana Thero also participated in this event.

The government has taken steps to develop tourism in the village which borders the Wilpattu National Wildlife Park. A gate was opened recently to the Park from Thanthirimale.

The government also developed several water reservoirs and plans to establish an elephant orphanage are in the workings.