Buddha statue unveiled in Dalada Maligawa

High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha and Governor of Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, in presence of Most Venerable Mahanayake Asgiriya, Most Venerable Anunayake Malwatta, Most Venerable Mahasangha and Diyawadana Nilame, unveiled a 16 feet high Buddha statue at the entrance of the International Buddhist Museum complex in Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Ministers and senior officials of the Central Provincial Council also graced the unveiling ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex yesterday.

Unveiling of the statue was followed by observance of the Pancha Seela, Anusasana by Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya and by Most Venerable Anunayake Thera of Malwatta.

The Sarnath Buddha statue is an exquisite sculpture and a replica of the famous original 5th Century Gupta Period statue from Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Enlightenment. The statue in the Dharmachakra pravartana mudra (turning the wheel of law) and its pedestal have been specially carved in India out of a single piece of beige-coloured Chunar sandstone by master craftsmen. The Chunar stone is found close to Sarnath.

The statue is a gift from the people of India to the people of Sri Lanka with support and cooperation from the Diyawadana Nilame and other officials from the Sri Dalada Maligawa, and Director General, Department of Archaeology, Government of Sri Lanka.

The installation of the statue commemorates 2600th year of Enlightenment of the Buddha.

Speaking at the occasion, Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya and Most Venerable Anunayake Thera of Malwatta highlighted the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India and emphasized that cultural and people-to-people linkage between India and Sri Lanka had enriched the relationship between the two countries and laid down a solid foundation for our continuing friendship and cultural exchanges. High Commissioner also called on Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya and Most Venerable Anunayake Thera of Malwatta separately after the ceremony.

High Commissioner Kantha called the attainment of Enlightenment by the Buddha as an event of enormous historical and contemporary importance. He quoted prominent historian A L Basham that “Even if judged only by his impact on the world at large, the Gautam Buddha was certainly the greatest man to be born in India.” The High Commissioner stated that the messages of love and brotherhood, of peace, goodwill and social equality preached by the Buddha two thousand and six hundred years ago were still relevant as the world struggles through unprecedented traumatic events.