First ever stupa with stainless steel frame:

Mahaweli Maha Seya, the Kotmale landmark

By Shirajiv SIRIMANA

Sri Lanka is set to introduce another first to the global construction field, by building what would be the world's first Stupa, partly made out of stainless steel at Kotmale.

Over the centuries stupas and other idols of worship were made out of clay, stone and lately with cement. "No person to my knowledge has ever built a stupa using stainless steel," said one of the brains behind the project, "Vidya Jothi" Architect Gamunu Silva.

The finishing touches on the 42 feet high square chamber, 28 feet tall God's chamber and the 78 feet tall spire using stainless steel have been done up to 95%.

Of course, he was quick to add that the construction of the stupa was not only his brainchild but also of other architects and the Mahaweli Authority officials to complete the project which really started over two decades ago.

The cost of the project is Rs. 400 million excluding the cost for the 52 acre of land, donated by the Mahaweli Ministry.

The area would be turned into a place of interest similar to the Kalutara Bodhi attracting both local and foreign tourists. The Mahaweli Maha Seya will be a landmark structure of epic scale located on a promontory, overlooking the Kotmale Reservoir. The 174 foot high stupa will be the largest stupa to be constructed after 2350 years, in Sri Lanka.

The entire structure of Mahaweli Maha Seya is designed by the former Chairman of the Mahaweli Cultural Foundation Trust, late Vidya Jyothi Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe; an eminent engineer of international repute. The designed height of the Stupa is 2 feet lesser than the great Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura.

Inside the dagaba the dome is four times bigger than the one at Kalutara. "One of the unique features of this dome is that the concrete shaping up. The dome is 11 inches thick which makes it the biggest shell structure in the country.

"On top of the dome there would be a 180 feet tall square known as Devatha Kotuwa and this is being built with stainless steel, a first in the world by Sri Lankan architects.

"On top of the 'Devatha Kotuwa' the Koth Kerella would be enshrined.

"A 14 inch tall topaz gem valued at over Rs. one million donated by Tissa Ananda of Ananda Gems, Pelmadulla will be placed on top. The Anuradhapura Ranweta Fund has donated Brass Material to a value of Rs. 310,000 to make a cast 6 feet in diameter and 13 feet for the pinnacle.

Due to reasons best known only to authorities concerned the construction of this Maha Seya was put off for over 20 years. It was first initiated by the then Minister of Mahaweli Development, Gamini Dissanayake who to his credit had completed almost 20 percent of the project.

Since then the project came under the purview of five Ministers and it was the former Minister of Mahaweli, Maithripala Sirisena who got the project moving once again for the present Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to continue.

Minister Silva has taken up the challenge and visited the area on several occasions and the completion of the Seya is now a few just months away.

He has also made arrangements like the previous Minister to donate a further Rs. 2.5 million for the project. The D. A. Rajapaksa Foundation too made a donation of Rs. 5 million.

In addition to this, Presidential Fund too has contributed to make this a reality.

The Mahaweli Maha Seya has also created another Sri Lankan record by becoming the biggest single new construction that is being funded by donors and well-wishers. "The contribution made by donors and well-wishers for this Rs. 400 million venture is over Rs. 380 million.

Today one of the movers of this project is the Director General of the Mahaweli D. Dissanayake who also hails from the area.

Asked, as to why the Mahaweli Authority is raising Rs. 400 million and build a place of Buddhist worship he replied that this is a social responsibility and they feel guilty. "Under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development, several places of worship including temples of different religious belief went under water.

To compensate for that we are providing the technical know how, architectural, labour and several other infrastructure to build the Seya."

"We also want to show the public that we are not using government funds for this," he emphasised.

How the public could contribute: Donations are accepted by the Mahaweli Cultural Foundation Trust from individuals.

The website was launched to facilitate both local and foreign donors to donate to the Trust. www.mahaweli.gov.lk ; E-mail : [email protected]

Cheque could be drawn in favour of Mahaweli Cultural Foundation Trust, A/C Number 0002327570 10.