RECENTLY-EXCAVATED RELICS & ARTIFACTS PLACED IN SPECIAL CHAMBER AT 'DEEGAWAPIYA' TEMPLE

The East-based ancient 'Deegawapiya', one of the sixteen places of Buddhist worship (Solosmasthana), sanctified by the arrival of the Buddha, now in the process of receiving a facelift and a complete renovation under the ‘Deegawapiya Aruna Trust Fund’, established by Defence Secretary and Chairperson of ‘Archaeological Heritage Management Presidential Task Force’ (PTF) for Eastern Province, Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) had its new Relic Chamber opened on Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day (17) during a ceremony.

Recently-unearthed sacred relics at the Deegawapiya Stupa site which were deposited in the Ampara District Secretariat for safe-keeping and daily veneration were thus conducted in a cultural pageant before those relics were placed in the newly-built “Relic Chamber” inside the Deegawapiya temple premises in accordance with religious rites and rituals amidst chanting of members of the Maha Sangha.

Defence Secretary and Chairman of the ‘Archaeological Heritage Management Presidential Task Force’ (PTF) for Eastern Province, Gen. Kamal Gunaratne Retd), together with Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Gunawardena, Agriculture Ministry Secretary and former Ampara Government Agent (GA) D.M.L. Bandaranayaka, District Secretary for Ampara, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force, Director General of Civil Security Department, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson ,President Army Seva Vanitha Unit and a host of invitees joined the ceremony to place those sacred relic caskets in the new chamber.

Around the same time, the Defence Secretary and Tri-Forces Commanders laid the corner stones for proposed construction of the new ‘Buddhist Shrine’ at the auspicious time amidst blessings invoked by the Payagala Malegoda Sri Pushparama Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Malegoda Nanda Thero and several monks. Chief Incumbent of the Na Uyana Monastery Ven. Angulgamuwe Ariyananda Thera and Ampara Mahavaapi Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana Thero delivered orations "Anushashana" during the brief ceremony.

The restoration of the Deegawapiya ancient site commenced under the direction of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following its derelict condition was brought to his notice by the Chief Prelate Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha Thero. The expedited restoration process which commenced under the Defence Secretary’s guidance has witnessed much progress in the restoration work. The ‘Deegawapiya Aruna Trust Fund’ is generously supported by Buddhist philanthropists world-wide. Offer of alms to Ven. Maha Sangha at the sacred venue brought the ceremony to end.

Chief Prelate of Deegawapiya temple Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha thero, Chief Incumbent of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya and Chairperson of Buddhist Channel Ven. Boralande Vajiraghana Thero, Ampara Mahavaapi Viharaya Chief Incumbent and Ampara District Sangha Sabha Registrar Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana were also among members of the Maha Sangha present at the historical event.

Major General Lal Chandrasiri, Commander Security Forces-East, Senior DIG for the East, senior military officers, state officials and a large gathering of devotees were present at the event.

(Courtesy : SL Army Website)