Restoration work of sacred site commenced

Vilpita: As a land mark of the 2550th Sri Sambuddha Jayanthiya Celebrations the restoration work of the historical Rajamaha Viharaya of Nedigamvila, Vilpita, as a sacred site of worship, was commenced under the patronage of Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, last Sunday.

At the same time, the archaeological excavation of the sacred precincts too began to trace the history of this ancient viharaya originally built during the reign of King Mahanaga, the ruler of the Magama Kingdom.

The first phase of the restoration project includes a two storeyed pilgrims' rest and a large number of minor buildings at a cost of rupees three million. The Project is implemented jointly by the Department of National Physical Planning and the Department of Archaeology on the initiative of Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that this ancient great city built by Sinhala rulers went into oblivion with the passage of time due to various political and environmental factors but the present Government pledged to rejuvenate our past glory will never hesitate to do its historical obligations by the people in spite of the threats of separatism and terror.

Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Thera, Hambantota Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka Ven. Uyanwatte Saddharama Thera, Ven. Galaboda Gnaneswara Thera of Gangaramaya, Colombo, Deputy Speaker Geethanjana Gunawardena, National Physical Planning Acting Director General P.Vincent, Tissamaharamaya Divisional Secretary D. S. Padmakulasooriya, and Deputy Archaeological Director General M. D. Herath were present on the occasion.