Archives

Thai devotees donate Rs. 4 m to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Ranveta Fund

A group of 62 Thai Buddhist devotees have donated 1,786,000 Thai Bahts equivalent to Rs. 4 million towards the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Ranveta Fund.

The donation made on the initiative of Sri Lanka Ambassador in Thailand H. M. G. S. Palihakkara which is the largest single contribution made to the Fund so far, signified the strong bonds of friendship existing between Sri Lanka and Thailand and their tradition of mutual assistance and interaction, said K. H. J. Wijayadasa, Chairman Ranveta Fund and Advisor on Sustainable Development in a press release issued yesterday.

Chief Incumbent of the Wat Paknam Temple in Bangkok Venerable Somdejpramaharajmangklajarn Thera helped to collect this contribution assisted by Madam Tritha Niamkham, President of the Temple's Alumni Association and its Council of devotees. It is significant that this contribution has been made by the Thai devotees at a time when Sri Lanka and Thailand are jointly planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka.

In recognition of this invaluable contribution Ven. Pallegama Siri Niwasa Nayake Thera, Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Incumbent of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Uda Maluwa Temple has decided to receive the 62 donors in a fitting manner during their forthcoming pilgrimage to Sri Lanka to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. He will also bestow the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the 62 Thai Donors at a special ceremony conducted under his distinguished patronage. Further, Ven Atamasthanadhipathi Nayake Thera will be personally distributing the Ranveta Certificates to each of the contributors.

The Ranveta Fund is still short of about Rs. 15 million to complete the construction work as scheduled by January 2003. The importation of brass bars has cost nearly Rs. 04 million. The 20 kg of gold granules 'required for gilding will cost Rs. 20 million. The Ranveta Fund wishes to make a special appeal to Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka and abroad to contribute generously to this worthy cause. The Ranveta will replace the 90 year old dilapidated iron railing at the Uda Maluwa while providing added protection and security to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is the oldest historical sacred tree in the world with an uninterrupted recorded history of over 2300 years, said Mr. Wijayadasa.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager