Khomba sponsors Aloka Pooja at Kelani Viharaya

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, Sri Lanka’s pioneer herbal-based personal care products company sponsored the ‘Aloka Poojawa’ of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya for the 12th successive year through its flagship brand Khomba, the first herbal soap manufactured in Sri Lanka. The Aloka Pooja was held from January 16 -19.

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC’s flagship brand Khomba, sponsored the “Aloka Poojawa” of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya. Chairperson/Managing Director Ms. Amari Wijewardena at the pooja.

The Buddha visited the Kelaniya temple with five hundred other enlightened bhikkus on his third visit to Sri Lanka by an invitation from King Maniakkitha who was the King of the snake tribe. During his visit, the Buddha preached to the king and his followers. The king constructed the stupa of the Kelaniya Temple on that site.

With the invasion by the Portuguese and the Dutch the Kelaniya Temple was destroyed and lay in a deteriorating state. During the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha who ruled the Kandyan Empire, Ven. Velivita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thera requested and guided the King to renovate the temple. The golden era of the Kelaniya Temple began with Helena Wijewardene who regularly worshipped at the temple. As the temple was in a decaying state she started the renovations of the Vihara Mandiraya and laid marble on the floors of the temple. In 1927 Helena Wijewardene began work on the new Vihara Mandiraya by laying its foundation stone.

As part of its annual CSR program, Swadeshi supports the Aloka poojas of all the temples that honour the four guardian Gods of Sri Lanka, Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya - God Vibishana, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya - God Kataragama, Saman Devalaya Ratnapura - God Saman and Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya - God Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu.

“We are honoured to have supported this event for over a decade. Being a truly Sri Lankan brand, we will continue to be a part of this blessed path, which I believe would also bring righteous blessings to the whole of Sri Lanka”, said Managing Director and Chairperson of The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC Ms. Amari Wijewardena who is the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene.