Senevirathnarama:

Burgeoning Vihara bordering Southern Expressway

by K.K.D. Premalal – Matugama Spl.Cor.

Viharadhipathi Ven Induruwe Sumanananda

The area around Southern Expressway has been developed to a great extent. New houses, huge buildings and factories are coming up day by day, especially the surroundings in close proximity to the highway entries. Senevirathnarama which is near Welipenna highway entry has been able to draw the attention of devotees in the area due to a host of reasons.

If you come on the new highway, you can come to Welipenna, one of the highway entries. It is only a short distance from the highway entry.

A view of Damsabha Mandapaya

The newly built bridge leading to the Damsabha Mandapaya

You also can reach the destination by taking a bus from Alutgama towards Matugama or from Matugama towards Alutgama. The temple is in Munamalwatta on the Alutgama-Matugama main road.

Beginnings

The temple was built by the present Viharadhipathi Ven. Induruwe Sumanananda. A one-and-a-half acre land was donated by Dr. Sarath de Alwis Senevirathna for the construction of the temple in memory of his beloved mother. Senevirathnarama in Munamalwatta in Welipenna has a very humble beginning.

On the upper floor of the three-storeyed building a stupa is to be built in the future. The second floor has been earmarked for bhikkhus to reside. A dharmashala is on the ground floor”, said Viharadhipathi Induruwe Sumanananda. “This land has been developed by filling 15 feet with soil.

Another plot of land behind the temple was donated by a devotee Abesiriwardena. He said, the marshy land was developed due to the generous support extended by the Southern Highway Project. Nearly Rs. 25 million was spent on the development of the temple. Transport Minister Kumara Welgama extended his support by putting up a bridge to reach the “Damsabha Mandapaya”.

The C.G.R. spent nearly Rs. 11 million for this purpose. The bridge was built within one month. Now the devotees can cross the river without any fear.

Setting

The temple is in a serene environment. Devotees coming to the temple will have a glimpse of the first sixty Arahants sculptured in granite.

One of the major projects envisaged by the temple is to supply water to the whole village, the Viharadhipathi said. He also said he would make arrangements to build a gold_plated Chaithya on the third floor.