Lankan team in India to film documentary on Anagarika

From Upali Rupasinghe in New Delhi

A production team led by Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja is in India to film a documentary on The Life and Work of Anagarika Dharmapala and his contribution to revive Buddhism in India and Sri Lanka.

The project is sponsored by the Film Unit of the Department of Information on the initiative of Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thera, President of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka. Dr. Pathiraja, consultant director of the Government Film Unit has visited Sanchi, Sarnath, and Buddha Gaya in search of memories of the Anagarika.

At Sarnath, where the Anagarika spent his last days and passed away, Dr. Pathiraja met Ven. K. Siri Sumedha thera, Assistant General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India and officials of the Archaeological Survey of India, Sanath Unit and filmed almost all places and objects of Buddhist interest as well as related with the Anagarika's life.

Anagarika's personal belongings was among those objects filmed.

At Buddha Gaya, Ven. Palwatte Seevalee Thera, Bhikkhu-in-charge of the Buddha Gaya Centre extended help to film the Sri Maha Bodhi complex and other places where the Anagarika had interest in reviving and developing Buddhism.

Dr. Pathiraja told the Daily News that he will also give priority to events that led the Anagarika to establish and carry forward the Maha Bodhi Movement as the front vehicle to propagate Buddhism.