Archaeological Museum at Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara

Priyanka KURUGALA

An Archaeological Museum was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara premises on the invitation of National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya.

The Archaeological Museum was proposed to be established along with the Deyata Kirula Exhibition in 2012.

It costs around Rs 6.5 million. The Archaeological Department constructed the museum.

Among the artefacts found at Thanthirimale Museum are Samadhi Buddha statues, clay statues, pinnacles, clay pots, stone caskets and statues of Hindu deities.

Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana Ven Pallegama Siri Nivasa Thera, Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Seya Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, Chief Incumbent of Thanthirimale Temple Ven Thanthirimale Chandarathana Thera, the Maha Sanga, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena, North Central Province Governor Karunarathna Divulgane, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake, Archaeological Director General Senerath Dissanayake and National Heritage Ministry Secretary Kanthi Wijethunga also participated.