Latest technologies adopted to protect Jethawanaramaya Stupa – Minister

Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickremanayaka yesterday said that both long-term and short-term measures have already been taken to prevent the further extension of cracks in the square chamber of the Jethawanaramaya Stupa in Anuradhapura.

The Minister who participated in an inspection tour of the site of Jethawanaramaya Stupa said that the latest technologies have been adopted to protect the Stupa.

Archaeology Director General Thusitha Mendis said that as per the reports of the Central Cultural Fund, there is no noticeable extension of cracks which appeared previously and the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archeology are closely monitoring the cracks.

Member of the Committee appointed for the monitoring of the Stupa, Peradeniya University Prof. Kushan Wijesundara said that the only 0.2m progress of the crack have been noticed since 2023 and the progress of the crack from 2016 to 2020 was 12m and from 2020 to 2023 was 9m.

Committee member Dr. D. Samith Buddhika of University of Peradeniya said that the nature of the cracks could change according to the weather condition and all the cracks have already been filled as a short-term measure and long-term measures are also being taking to prevent further extension of the cracks.

The Jethawanaramaya Stupa is the third-tallest structure in the world, after the two great pyramids of Giza and Khafre with a base area of 233,000m2 (2,508,000 sq ft). It was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301).

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