Sarasavi Seya - for 50 years a source of serenity

March 17 will be a red letter day for the Peradeniya University and the university community, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the launching of a project to build the Sarasavi Seya (Dagoba) which serenely overlooks the campus today, bringing happiness and solace to everyone passing by.

The 'Sarasavi Seya' for which the then president of the Vihara Kariya Sadaka Sabha, the late Prof. D.E. Hettarachchi cut the first sod of earth and late Cultural Affairs Minister Maithripala Senanayake laid the foundation stone, became a reality due to the indefatigable efforts of the University's Buddhist academics, students and philanthropists, who contributed lavishly, physically and materially.

The Vesak pandal erected at the entrance to the Peradeniya University, opposite the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in 1958, could be regarded as the forerunner to the 'Sarasavi Seya," which stands majestically on a hillock spreading its rays to enlighten the surrounding region. The relics enshrined within the Sarasavi Seya, was held under the patronage of the then Governor William Gopallawa on August 7 1963.

The names of late Vice Chancellor Sir Nicholas Atygalle, Registrar W. A. Jayawardene, Academia Professors D.E. Hettarachchi, N.A. Jayawickrama, W.S. Karunaratne, B.A. Abeywickrama, M.H.F. Jayasinghe, Ananda Kulasuriya, H.P. Wijetunge, A.D.V. De S. Indraratne, M.B. Ariyapala, C. Dahanayake, J.D. Kalupahana, Librarian K.D. Somadasa, W.G. Weeraratne and Warden Mrs. Vajira Cooke, needs special mention for their great contribution towards this project.

The building contract was handled by S. Ranasinghe, according to a site plan drawn by Architect D.R. Wedikkara on the guidance of Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe, Consultant Surgeon Dr. D.W. Weerasuriya, Former President, University Buddhist Brotherhood and Inter-University Buddhist Society.