Chuda Manikyas unveiling ceremony

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The unveiling of the Chuda Manikya pinnacles of the four attending Chetiyas of the Ruwanmeli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura will take place on August 8 at 6.00 p.m.

Ven. Pitiduwe Gunaratana Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Piliyandala Sri Saddharamaloka Dhamma Nikethanaya said these attending chetiyas didn't have the Chuda Manikyas earlier.

The Thera recalling the past, said due to the hard work and dedication of late Ven. Naranvita Sumanasara and Evariwatte Weda Mahatthaya in Negombo, the Ruwanmeliseya Chetiya was conserved and restored to the present position.

The Nayaka Thera said the Chuda Manikya which miraculously emerged from a mine in Burma was 18 inches in height, 26 inches in its perimeter and weighed 66 pounds. The Chuda Manikkayas have been donated by Palitha Anuruddha Silva, Dhammika Dhananjaya Sumittha and Ven. Polgasduwe Gnanasumana Thera. W.G. Buddhadasa, a famous crystal technician in Pilimatalawa smoothened the Chuda Manikyas.

The Thera said the four pinnacles of the attending Chetiyas would be gold plated.