Unveiling of the pinnacle atop the new Chetiya (pagoda), erected at historic Sri Lumbini Maha Viharaya at Kilinochchi and foundation stone-laying ceremony for a new Pilgrims' Rest, took place Saturday (29) morning amidst a gathering of members of the Maha Sangha, Ministers, State officials, senior military officers, laity, et al, including Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban development and Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army.
Ceremonial opening of the new Army-built Chetiya followed a "Daham Hamuwa" meeting, headed by Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Nayake Thera of Sri Dharmarakshitha Sangha Sabha of Amarapura Chapter, in which Mr Rajapaksa was invited to address the gathering. Mr Rajapaksa, paying a tribute to the Maha Sangha who stood behind the Security Forces as a tower of strength as the war for peace was on against terrorists said that contrary to the views, expressed by some sections, attributing to an alleged decline in buddhist standards in Sri Lanka, there really exists a buddhist revival across the country, instead.
"As recent as last week, I had the privilege of re-opening the ancient Veheragala temple after renovations were done by Civil Defence Force personnel and many more places of Buddhist worship that remained destroyed or dilapidated for more than 30 years in regions like Ampara, Trincomalee, Wanni, Kilinochchi, etc, were restored or completely built with the support of tri-service and Civil Defence Force personnel. Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the Security Forces all the time and their blessings helped them to overcome terrorism. In the same way, tri-service personnel will throw their full weight behind restoration of all sacred places with those blessings," the Secretary Defence and Urban Development added.
Referring to tri-service contribution to the sphere of northern development, Mr Rajapaksa pointed out that Army de-miners who cleared more than 80 percent of the areas infested with terrorist mines, hand in hand with other de-miners, enabled the people to resettle within a matter of three years and the whole north is now free of any refugees, an achievement, perhaps no other country in the world, can claim. More than 6000 houses have been built, estimated 7000 repaired or renovated for use, 25 schools completely re-habiltated as at present. In addition, Sri Lanka makes a record by re-habilitatiing more than 12,000 former LTTE combatants in Boossa in such short period of time. "We now have only less than 200 undergoing rehabilitation and they are also to be set free and socialized soon as did in relation to others. Measures were also taken to take care of the family members of those families while their relatives continue rehabilitation," Mr Rajapksa reminded.
The government, he underlined, does everything possible to uplift living standards of the Northern people who were under siege to terrorism for more than 30 years. Kilinochchi is now connected to electricity and new administrative buildings and public places are coming up. President Rajapaksa opened several of those new development projects as recent as Wednesday. Anyone can come and see the revival of development in these areas now, without hurling malicious and unfounded criticisms and allegations, he added.
Corner-stones for construction of a new Pilgrims' Rest (Vishrama Shalawa) in the Lumbini Vihara premises were also laid soon after the new Dagoba and its pinnacle was opened.
A few minutes after the religious ceremony, Mr Rajapaksa, together with the Army Chief made an inspection tour to the Kilinochchi Hospital premises and saw for himself how the Army troops were fast nearing construction of new buildings and conducting diverse renovation, repainting and restoration work.
As the final stop in the day's programme, Mr Rajapaksa and his entourage made a surprise visit to the Kilinochchi Ashram Children's Home and ceremonially handed over the Army-built new Hindu Kovil for veneration of the orphanage inmates. This widely-felt need of the orphanage was fulfilled by Army Engineer troops in consultation with Kilinochchi-based Hindu priests and architects. Mr Rajapaksa after spending some time with those children gave away gift parcels.
Mr Nihal Kariyawasam, a young entrepreneur has sponsored the construction of the entire Dagoba in response to a request made by the Maha Sangha and Army troops, consisted of Engineers and Engineer Service Regiment, respectfully carried out the entire construction in consultation with members of the Maha Sangha.
Kilinochchi Lumbini Viharaya traces its modern history to the year 1936 when one of the scholar monks, Ven. Randombe Somasiritissa Thera, during an expedition to the North in order to find Buddhist roots in the region came across dilapidated Kilinochchi buddhist temple with its historic ruins and artifacts. Later on, its custodianship was transferred by ailing Ven Somasiritissa to his pupil, Ven Randombe Dharmawasnsa Thero who took residence there and began its management, enabling pilgrims touring the region to use the place as a transit point of veneration, en route to deep North.
The same Ven Dharmawansa Thera instrumental in founding the Kilinochchi Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya too around the same period fell sick afterwards and subsequently passed away, leaving the temple almost abandoned, along with the escalation of LTTE terrorism and due to lack of essentials in the area. Later on, following an agreement made, Ven Brahamanawatte Sri Dharmakeerthi Nayake Thera, Incumbent at Nagadeepaya temple took the reins of the Kilinochchi temple too and transferred the custodianship to the present incumbent, Ven Brahamanawatte Seevali Thera as violence receded. His vision and guidance saw the temple's resurgence and appointed another buddhist monk, as the one in charge of the temple afterwards.
Senior State Officials, Major General Udaya Perera, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Kilinochchi and senior tri-service officers were associated with the Defence Secretary's day's itinerary.
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