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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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Work apace to build Mahaweli Mahaseya by Deepal Warnakulasuriya The Mahaweli Cultural Foundation Trust launched a campaign last week to raise funds for the completion of the ongoing Mahaweli Mahaseya, at Kotmale. The creation of Mahaweli Mahaseya is directed by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa contributing towards the promotion of Sri Lankan culture. It is a concept of UNP Mahaweli Minister late Gamini Dissanayake. Mahaweli and River Basin Development and Rajarata Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena said the Government will support this project to enable this gigantic stupa to be completed in our time as it is after several centuries. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Maha Seya was meant to be a monument to the great cultural heritage of the country and the religious icons lost in the process of some development activities in the country. He also reminded that this was a concept of late Mahaweli Minister Gamini Dissanayake to fill the void created by the submersion of a number of Buddhist shrines in the construction of Kotmale Reservoir and associated irrigation network. The Maha Seya will be the first mega stupa of the Kandyan Kingdom closely associated with the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The designed height will only be two feet less than the great Ruwanweli Seya in Anuradhapura, said a spokesman from the Mahaweli Cultural Foundation Trust (MCFT). He also said that the work on the great stupa was designed according to modern engineering technology and work finalised with the help from well-wishers. The major portion of the structural works inclusive of 200 feet diameter hollow shell dome and the construction of stainless steel square chamber (Hathareskotuwa) is already in progress. The present value of the work done is estimated to be Rs 200 million. The MCFT spokesman also said that the Seya will assist the country to boost tourism and the proposed complex affiliated to the Seya will be used as an international Buddhist centre once it was completed. The organisers hope to complete the balance work of the Stupa within a period of 15 months and invite well-wishers to make their donations to the MCFT which is a tax exempted government approved charity. |
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