29th August 2021 17:05:17 Hours
With a view to observing the final touches of the construction of the ‘Sanda Hiru Seya’ pagoda at Anuradhapura, Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), together with General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army made a visit to the location this morning (29).
The ‘Sanda Hiru Seya’, one of the largest pagodas in the island is being built as a tribute to the memory of thousands of fallen tri-service War Heroes and to invoke blessings on wounded and handicapped War Heroes as well as to serving members of the armed forces.
During the visit, General Gunaratne (Retd) closely reviewed the construction progress and remaining tasks, yet to be completed and discussed basic groundwork, related to the proposed Bodhigaraya (Bodhiya House), Dolos Mahe Pahana (eternal lamp), stone engravings and the land area earmarked for the devotees’ vehicle park before he had a close look at the new image house (Shrine), Museum and construction of the sacred stone-paved courtyard (Salapathala Maluwa).
As arrangements are underway to place the ‘Crest-Gem’ (Chudaa Maanikya) and the sacred pinnacle (Kotha) at the pointing tip of the Stupa shortly upon culmination of exposition of the ‘Crest-Gem’ and the ‘Sacred Pinnacle’ which are being taken round the country at present, the visiting Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Hemantha Bandara - Commander, Security Forces - Wanni, Senior Tri Service Officers and Major General Mohan Rathnayake - General Officer Commanding 21 Division and those in charge of the project afterwards sat together for a brief meeting to evaluate the progress.
Military Liaison Officer, Brigadier Dinesh Nanayakkara also joined the visit. Stipulated healthcare guidelines were strictly followed during the arrangement.
