ISLAND’S TALLEST BUDDHA STATUE IS UNVEILED IN MAHIYANGANAYA

A series of religious events took place in Mahiyanganaya sacred land that is blessed with the presence of Lord Buddha during the evening hours on 28 May 2023.

The main event of the afternoon was graced with the presence of His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President, dedicated his visit to unveil the island’s tallest standing Buddha statue that was commenced its constructions on 08 January 2012.

This 102 feet tall standing Buddha statue in the travelling by air posture was built in the Seema Malaka premises of the Villuwa Lake as a concept of the founder of Meth Saviya organization, Professor Scientist Chandana Jayarathne, the Head of the Department of Physics, University of Colombo, on the instructions and guidance of the Most Venerable Urulewatte Dammasiddi Shri Attadassi Dammarakkithabhidhana thero, the Chief Prelate of the Shyamopalika chapter.

Endowing of the renovated ancient Mahiyangana Stupa for the Budda Shasana and its devotees also took place during this religious endeavour. Further, the unveiling of the Walakulu Bemma (Cloud Drift Wall) and the official presentation of the Sannaspathra declaring Mahiyanganaya a sacred land also were among the other activities of religious value that took place in parallel to the occasion that celebrates the 2567th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.

The historic event was also blessed with the noble presence of Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabidhana Mahanayake Thero, the Mahanayake Thero of the Siyama Maha Niyakaye’s Malwatta Chapter and Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pagghananda Gnanarathanabidhana Mahanayake Thero, the Mahanayake Thero of the Siyama Maha Niyakaye’s Asgiriya Chapter, Varakogoda Dammasiddhi Pannananda Thero and many other prominent Buddhist Theroes.

At the invitation extended by the members of the Trustees Board of the Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, the Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil attended the event.

Further, the leader of the Opposition Honourable Sajith Premadasa, Senior National Security Advisor to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Honourable Members of the Parliament, diplomats, Main Custodian of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, IGP, and regional senior military Officers along with a number of dignitaries attended this unique religious occasion.