The walking posture Buddha Statue and four storeyed cultural hall under construction in Wariyapola

Ven. Nivithigala Sumitta Thera, Lecturer, Buddhasravaka Bhikku University, Anuradhapura

WARIYAPOLA: Wariyapola is virtually a legendary name due to a large number of historical controversies connected with it. The word Wariyapola precisely denotes airport.

According to the ancient scriptures, during the prehistoric era of King Rawana, travel between India and Sri Lanka was done by means of a flight called "Dandumonara" and flights were taken off or landed on the large flat rock at Wariyapola which is the location of the present Sri Sumangala Pirivena Raja Maha Viharaya which was also known as "Sailathalaaramaya". This granite plateau as appearing today is spacious enough to land a medium size aircraft of the modern times.

Among the important reasons for Wariyapola to be reckoned as a historical place. We have the fact that Wariyapola was the birthplace of the famous Buddhist priest Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Anunayaka Thera whose abodes were Asgiriya Viharaya of Kandy and Suduhumpola Raja Maha Viharaya during a major part of his lifetime.

Herath Hamige Kiri Hamy brought from Wariyapola was ordained at Asgiriya Raja Maha Viharaya of Kandy under the tutelage of Ven. Navinne Dhammadassi Thera, the first Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter to receive Higher Ordination from the Shiyamopali Maha Nikaya.

March 02, 1815 was the historic day when the Sinhalese of the Up-country and the Low-country were scheduled to sign an Agreement with the British Government to hand over the administration of the entire country to the white imperialists at the Audience Hall of Kandy.

The Sinhalese Chieftains and the English high officials were arrayed opposite the audience to sign the document at the auspicious time. Anyway, a hasty while soldier hoisted the Union Jack before the scheduled auspicious hour.

Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala Thera, who was destined to become the Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya was annoyed by the indiscipline of the white soldier.

Under severe mental strain he walked forward and pulled down the English Flag from its hoist and the Sinhala flag to flutter in the air till the correct auspicious time.

This gallant act of Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera made his name go down in history as a brave personality.

Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera's national struggle did not stop there. As the priest in charge of the "Thevava" of the Sri Dalada Maligawa", his mind was never distracted from his dream of passing on the Sinhala Royal Crown to a Sinhalese.

By this time the up-country Chieftains under the leadership of Keppetipola Nilame were consolidating forces in the Uva Province to launch the liberation struggle of the Sinhala people.

The Venerable Wariyapola Thera took with him the Sacred Tooth Relic and fled to Uva and handed it over to Keppetipola Nilame.

By this act, the venerable Thera intended to declare that the Sacred Tooth Relic is now with Keppetipola Nilame and persuade the Sinhala people to make a Sinhalese, the heir to the throne.

He again took back the Sacred Tooth Relic from Keppetipola Nilame and took hiding in the Dambulla jungles.

He was captured by English soldiers in 1818 at the Kaikawala Checkpoint and was brought before the Court Martial. He was tried for the offence of robbing the Sacred Tooth Relic from the possession of the British Government and was convicted.

He was sentenced and incarcerated in the Jaffna Prison. The series of events relating to this incident made the name Wariyapola" a household subject among the people.

The present Wariyapola Purana Raja Maha Viharaya has a long history dating back to the Dutch period.

The viharaya has become famous for its paintings, wood carvings and statues. These artifacts point to the fact that the Viharaya has received the patronage of king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, the ruler of Kandy and the environs were rich in agricultural and irrigational pursuits.

We have decided to erect a walking posture Buddha Statue, 80 feet in height and a four storeyed cultural centre at the Purana Raja Maha Viharaya of Wariyapola in remembrance of the service to the nation by Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera.

The foundation stone laying ceremony will take place at the temple premises on March 01 at 03.00 p.m. under the patronage of the Maha Nayaka Theras of the three Nikayas.

The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs. 25 million, at the rate of Rs. 5,000 per cubic feet when both the statue and the hall are combined.

Contributions towards the project are solicited from generous philanthropists.