The depositing of the Sacred Relics and treasures at the historic Deegawapiya Chaitya took place with the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday (14).
The restoration work of Deegawapiya Chaitya, which is the fourth largest Chaitya in Sri Lanka, was started in 2020 under the direction of the Defence Ministry, and it is special that this is the last Chaitya to be renovated among Solosmasthana.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe deposited the relics in the Deegawapiya Chaitya amidst ‘Seth Pirith’ by the Maha Sangha and at that time flowers were also sprayed by the Air Force while offering floral tributes.
The President also offered the newly built Relics Shrine (Dhathu Mandiraya) where Sarvagna Dhatu and other relics were deposited and Refectory (Danasalava) to Maha Sangha.
Defence Secretary, General G. D. H. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), commented highlighting the on-going restoration efforts of the Deegawapiya Chaitya and the Muhudu Maha Viharaya under the Presidential Task Force dedicated to safeguarding the Buddhist heritage of the Eastern Province.
He announced the establishment of the ‘Deegawapiya Trust Fund’, emphasising its successful provisioning. Currently, the Chaitya stands at a height of 62.3 feet, requiring 72,000 clay bricks to construct each inch of its structure. General Gunaratne praised the labour contributions and acknowledged the substantial support from the Tri-Forces and devotees alike.
Ven. Ankumbure Premawansa Thera, Deputy Chief Sanghanayake of the Malwathu Chapter; Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of Deegawapiya Rajamaha Vihara and Trinikayika Maha Sangha; former President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Buddhist and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake; MP D. Weerasinghe; Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka; Chief of the Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva; Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage; Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera; Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa; former Minister Daya Gamage; Archaeology Commissioner Prof. Thusitha Mandis and many other dignitaries attended.
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