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ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව

ජාතියේ ආරක්ෂකයා

Army Engineers Save Millions &;amp; Restore Sri Pada Raja Mawatha

THE famous lyricist, Mahagama Sekara saying “Muni Siripa Piyume ……. Niwan Purata Maga Penena” once highlighted the aesthetic beauty that envelops the flights of stairs that lead to the picturesque Sri Pada top. Many local poets have similarly added their flavor to the historic Ratnapura Sri Palabaddala footpath ‘Raja Mawatha’ open for Sri Pada pilgrims, said to have been made centuries ago during the reign of King Nissanka Malla.

The Raja Mawatha footpath, popularly trekked by Buddhists, Hindus and Moors alike during Sri Pada season remains a symbol of veneration for all four denominations. However, as time advanced the footpath got infested with wild bushes and creepers, rugged cliffs and stairs. All treads and stair risers along the path had turned old, rather dilapidated owing to lack of maintenance, repairs and resources, making the tour extremely difficult for pilgrims. Ven. Hadapangoda Wimala Nayaka Thero, custodian, Sri Pada sacred place, aware of this pathetic plight of the stairs, finally took it up with Sri Lanka Army Headquarters several years ago and sought Army assistance for restoration and repairs of the historic footpath.

Sri Lanka Engineers, famed for its unmatched role in construction of highways, bridges, culverts and engaged in continuing De-mining work readily responded to the challenge and commenced the initial phase of the Raja Mawatha footpath project on 24th January 2003. Fifty-six soldiers and one officer, attached to 4 Sri Lanka Engineer (Volunteer) Regiment were determined to cover repairs for the entire stretch of 12 km, along the road up to the Sri Pada Andiyamalatenna but the Army was supposed to effect repairs only for a distance of 7.76 km. Those Engineers covering a patch of 3.26 km carried out their repairs and restored 3647 stairs by end of December 2004. However, emergency requirements necessitated due to Tsunami circumstances, prompted those troops to serve elsewhere, particularly in view of the gravity of the situation. The project was thus suspended on 26th December 2004.

Nevertheless, 4 Sri Lanka Engineer Regiment with reinvigorated spirits recommenced repair work under Phase II with the blessings of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and completed a further stretch of 1.68 km restoring a record 2376 stairs. To-date Engineers have restored or rehabilitated 6023 stairs within a completed patch of some 4.95 km, out of the entire distance of 7.76 km Engineers are supposed to carry out repairs.

Engineer troops serving Sri Palabaddala, Pawanella and Lihinihela Ambalama areas were actively instrumental in offering their labour for this worthy and meritorious cause, despite constraints posed by foggy and miserably cold weather conditions. Carriage of raw materials to work sites was another challenge the Engineers had to overcome with firm commitment and determination. The Army is to complete repairs on the remaining 2.81 km within a short period, Engineers have projected to their authorities.

The entire project, running into millions, had it been done outside, collected sand, metal, minerals and almost all other raw materials, except cement from Army camp surroundings, thereby sparing a lot of money for the Army. Soldiers lined up along Raja Mawatha and carried cement bags and sand to all repair sites, showing great gestures of collective work, unity and above all, commitment and dedication to a cause. Engineers expect to complete repairs to the remaining patch of the historic Raja Mawatha within a span of several months. Once done, pilgrims will find their 12 km footpath to Sri Pada from Ratnapura end much more improved than ever before, thanks to selfless contributions of Engineer troops.