Minister lays foundation for Samadhi Buddha Statue

P.B. Kirindeniya, Nawalapitiya group corr.

Minister of Power Mahindananda Aluthgamage laid the foundation stone for a Samadhi Buddha Statue (18 feet in height) at Siripada Privena in the main entrance to the Railway town of Nawalapitiya in order to commemorate his parents, late Mr. Aluthgamage, former MP for Nawalapitiya and late Mrs Aluthgamage.

The estimated cost of the construction work of the "Samadhi Buddha Prathima" is Rs. 1 million which would be borne by the family members of late Mr. S. Aluthgamage.

Addressing the meeting that followed the laying of the foundation stone Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that according to the agreement, the construction work of the Samadhi Buddha Statue would be completed in six months. It would help adorn the town Kalutara Bodhi and Getambe Viharaya which are at the gateway of the two main towns, Kalutara and Kandy.

He said the Chief Incumbent of the Privena had taken much effort to make the dream a reality. He had been undergoing untold difficulties for a considerable number of years for this purpose.

Aluthgamage said thousands of pilgrims bound to Sri Pada break journey here. This Buddha Statue will be higher than that of Anuradhapura Mahamevuna Uyana Samadhi Pilimaya. This is 18 feet in height. I feel it had been a shortcoming for many years that there had been no such Buddha Statue here. No public or state funds will be utilised.

Ven. Kurunegala Piyarathana Thera, Chief Incumbent made an "Anusasana".