Army restores Sri Pada Raja Mawatha
The Ratnapura Sri Palabaddala footpath 'Raja Mawatha' open for Sri
Pada pilgrims, trekked by pilgrims during the Sri Pada season is a
symbol of veneration for all four denominations.
However, as time advanced the footpath got infested with wild bushes
and creepers, rugged cliffs and stairs. All treads and stair risers
along the path had turned old, and dilapidated owing to lack of
maintenance, repairs and resources, making the tour extremely difficult
for pilgrims.
|
Army personnel hard at work. www.army.lk |
Sri Pada sacred place custodian Ven Hadapangoda Wimala Nayaka Thera
aware of this plight, took it up with Sri Lanka Army Headquarters
several years ago and sought Army assistance to repair the historic
footpath.
Sri Lanka Army engineers responded to the challenge and commenced the
initial phase of the Raja Mawatha footpath project on January 24, 2003.
Fifty-six soldiers and one officer, attached to 4 Sri Lanka Engineer
(Volunteer) Regiment were determined to cover repairs for the entire
stretch of 12 km, along the road up to the Sri Pada Andiyamalatenna but
the Army was supposed to effect repairs only for a distance of 7.76 km.
Engineers covering 3.26 km carried out their repairs and restored
3,647 stairs by December 2004 end. However, emergency requirements
necessitated due to the tsunami, prompted those troops to serve
elsewhere. The project was suspended on December 26, 2004.
The 4 Sri Lanka Engineer Regiment recommenced repair work under Phase
II with the blessings of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath
Jayasuriya and completed a further stretch of 1.68 km restoring a record
2376 stairs.
Engineers to-date have restored or rehabilitated 6,023 stairs within
a completed patch of some 4.95 km, out of the entire distance of 7.76
km.
Engineer troops serving Sri Palabaddala, Pawanella and Lihinihela
Ambalama areas were instrumental in offering their labour.
The Army is to complete repairs on the remaining 2.81 km within a
short period.
The entire project, running into millions, had it been done outside,
collected sand, metal, minerals and almost all other raw materials,
except cement from Army camp surroundings, thereby sparing a lot of
money for the Army.
Soldiers lined up along Raja Mawatha and carried bags of cement and
sand to all repair sites. Engineers expect to complete repairs to the
remaining patch of the historic Raja Mawatha within several months. Once
done, pilgrims will find the 12 km footpath to Sri Pada from Ratnapura
end much more improved.
Courtesy: Army Media Unit |
