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PM and Thai PM to open second Ranweta Project

Anuradhapura East group correspondent

The second Ranweta Project at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Anuradhapura will be opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister of Thailand at the auspicious time 3.30 pm. on Wednesday 14.

In anticipation of the large crowds expected to throng the Sacred City logistical services such as water, electricity, transport, health and security have been planned out by the respective State agencies on the advice of GA, Anuradhapura. Roads leading to the Sri Maha Bodhiya will be lined by about 3,000 schoolchildren cheering Sri Lankan and Thai national flags to add lustre to the occasion.

With 20 technical staff working round the clock, the second Ranweta Project was completed within a record time of 38 days, State Engineering Corporation resident engineer, Shantha Kumara said.

Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Pallegama Siri Nivasa Nayaka Thera underscored the need for a second Ranweta. So as to enhance the splendour of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in view of the increasing number of pilgrims and tourists paying homage to the Sacred Bo-Tree.

The second Ranweta is the brainchild of Atamasthanadhipathi Nayaka Thera. The first Ranweta was put up about 18 years ago whilst the Udamaluwa "Yakadaweta" is over 80 years by now.

"The second Ranweta is a prime need to enhance this sacredness and security. The Ranweta Fund would be utilised to re-develop the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi premises which needs urgent improvements. So I appeal to all well-wishers to contribute their mite to augment our resources stated Ranweta Project President, K.H.J. Wijedasa.

"It is a timely project said Ruwanweli Chaitiyaramadhaipathi, Nuwara Gampalatha Chief Sanghanayaka, Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Thera.

Despite the abandonment of Anuradhapura as the kingdom by the successive kings, time and again, the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya truly remained at its original site. Unlike the then tradition of the Sacred Tooth Relic being taken with them by the kings who sought refuge elsewhere during the time of external aggression or internal political turmoil, said North Central Chief Sangha Nayaka Ven. Relapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thera.

Going back to the past, by 2001, the progress of Ranweta Project was far from satisfactory despite the donation of 110 grams of gold by Thai Princess, Prof. Chula Bojna and public contributions amounting to Rs. 4,758,113.

It was Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who gave a solemn undertaking to have the most awaited project expedited.

Accordingly a conference was held at Prime Minister's office on 3.4.2002 at which the Prime Minister underscored the urgency of the project as our national heritage and expressed his confidence that the Buddhists in the country would contribute its resources to make the project a complete success.

An advisory committee of 15, consisting of Bhikkus, Ministers and lay administrators and also a project implementation agency chaired by Advisor to the Prime Minister, K.H.J. Wijedasa was appointed by the Prime Minister.

Later it was decided with the concurrence of the Prime Minister to phase out the project into 3 stages viz Ranweta, development of Veli Maluwa, Vihara Devala Maluwa and Uda Maluwa and premises outside the Maha Sal Prakaraya, the cost of which was estimated at Rs. 70 million.

Ranweta certificates and stickers were put on sale through a network of State and private sector organisations in order to collect funds for the project.

Funds were amassed, skills were tapped and finally the second Ranweta Project got off the ground.

At the auspicious hour 3.30 pm. on Wednesday 14, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister of Thailand will ceremonially open the second Ranweta at the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.

After the opening, the first Buddhapooja to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will be offered by Rajarata Bauddha Kantha Samithiya. Ministers G.L. Peiris and S.B. Dissnayake are expected to participate at the occasion.

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