President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that Rs. 1 billion will be allocated next year for research on the relationship between Buddha’s teachings and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President said that while the research on Buddha’s teachings and AI was due to begin this year, it has been postponed for next year due to the absence of legislation for the regulation of AI. He said that the subsequent steps will be taken once the new laws are adopted.
President Wickremesinghe was speaking at a ceremony held to mark the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Society Moratuwa at the Moratuwa Buddhist Society Hall.
The Moratuwa Buddhist Society Hall, initiated under the Sri Lanka Buddhist Society Moratuwa, had its foundation stone laid in 1925. This Society was set up on May 11, 1924, under the leadership of Arthur V. Dias. The building was inaugurated as the Buddhist Headquarters for the Buddhist population in Moratuwa on June 24, 1929, by the then Governor of British Ceylon Sir Herbert J. Stanley officiating at the opening ceremony. On that same day, the foundation stone for Moratuwa College was also laid.
The President said that the Government will finance the restoration of the Moratuwa Buddhist Society Hall, which is approaching its centenary.
During his visit to the Moratuwa Buddhist Society Hall, President Wickremesinghe participated in religious ceremonies before the sacred Buddha statue. The Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and extended blessings to the President.
