Kataragama Devale custodians pilfer Rs. 120 mn

It has been revealed that money given by the devotees for the maintenance and improvements of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is forcibly taken away by the custodians (kapuralas). Accordingly, Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya has not received Rs. 120 mn given by the devotees. According to the Vihara Devalagam Act, under the supervision  of the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, some allowance or salary should be given to the custodians, however, the said kapuralas take all the money belonging to Devalaya home, sources said.

It is said that a 50% of the money given by the devotees should be given to the development of the Devalaya, however, it has been revealed that no money has been given for the purpose.

It has also been revealed that during last Perahera season, Rs.20 million was to be given to Devalaya, however, one custodian had taken away Devalaya’s key.

Basnayake Nilame of the Devalaya, Dishan Gunasekera when contacted said the public should be made aware of what happens to the money that they offer to the Devalaya. He said that he made complaints to the Tangalle Special Crime Investigation Division and Tangalle Police regarding the allegation. He said that the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs has also been apprised about this incident.