The Chief Minister of the Western Province called on Sinhala mothers across to island to produce more children in order to protect Buddhism and the Sinhala race.
Isura Devapriya said this week that Sinhala mothers must bear more children, telling an audience at Nugegoda that,
"Each and every Sinhala mother should deliver at least five children”.
"Increasing the Sinhala race is the only means to safeguard Buddhism, language and our nation," he added.
Mr Devapriya was speaking at a ceremony to open a Bhikku retreat at Embuldeniya.
Last year, the Sri Lankan government continued with an existing scheme that grants troops in the armed forces, overwhelmingly made up of Sinhala soldiers, a grant of Rs. 100,000 at the birth of the third child.