Myanmar crest gem to adorn Mihintale Cetiya

Sarath Manula Wickrama Anuradhapura special corr.

Myanmar donated a crest gem valued at Rs 10 million to adorn the pinnacle of the Mihintale Sela (rock) Cetiya.

This follows a request by Viharadhipathi Walawahenguwawewe Dhammaratana Nayake Thera to Buddhists in Myanmar and USA.

The crest gem brought to Sri Lanka on January 17 was taken to the Mihintale Sacred area and received with pomp and pageantry. Ven Dhammaratana Nayake Thera said the crest gem will be taken to Hunupitiya Gangaramaya for a public exposition and President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will pay homage to it.

He said the crest gem will be placed on the pinnacle of the Mihintale Cetiya during Poson celebrations this year.

The prelate said the Mihintale Sacred area is being fully rehabilitated and conserved by the Archaeological Department and the Civil Defence Force on the directions of the President to mark the 2320th Mihindu Jayanthi this year.