Cave temple on verge of collapse

M.A.R. Manukulasooriya - Hiriyala group correspondent

The murals and Buddha statues at Mediriya cave temple in the Ibbagamuwa DS Division face destruction due to non-maintenance and non-conservation.

This situation has arisen due to the lack of a residential monk. The Dagoba on a stone slab above the cave temple has been damaged by treasure hunters and only a heap of earth can be seen.

The place is looked after by Ven. Udurawana Somarathana Thera, Chief Adhikarana Sanganayake of Ihala Dolospattuwa. “The temple was built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The Buddha statues in the cave temple were built during the Kandyan era and are now on the verge of collapse, the thera said.