28th January 2019 13:12:23 Hours
During a visit to resettled villages to observe difficulties faced by villages Commander Security Force Wanni, Major General Kumudu Perera RWP RSP VSV USP ndu observed three very old and feeble Mehenin Vahanses accommodated in an extremely dilapidated wattle and daub hut. When speaking to them he learnt that they lived in extreme hardships and when sleeping at night even snakes enter the hut through gaping holes in the mud walls.
With determination to help the Mehenins he sought assistance from known well-wishers to construct a dwelling house and the first to volunteer was Mr. Dimuthu Tennakoon, a philanthropist working at Sri Lankan Airlines.
On completion of constructing the dwelling house for the Mehenins, Commander Security Force Wanni decided that the village should have a complete Temple as it was a predominantly Sinhala Buddhist village isolated from other main cities and the villagers who are living below the poverty line has no place of worship close by.
When this was conveyed to General Officer Commanding 56 Division Major General Prabath Dematanpitiya ndu psc, he himself decided to construct the wall (Bodhi Prakaraya) around the sacred Bo Tree. A complete wall in true Buddhist architecture was built by him with the assistance of his beloved father.
Very religious minded and benevolent philanthropists Mr. Chamath Abeygunawardhana and his wife Enoka, relatives of Commander Security Force Wanni, seeing the state of the premises agreed to donate funds to construct a Shrine Room while getting their relative Mrs. Ashoka Ramanayake, of famed Ramanayake Motors to provide required funds for the Stupa.
All constructions were under taken by troops of 56 Division under supervision of General Officer Commanding 56 Division Major General Prabath Dematanpitiya ndu psc. It was significant that unveiling the sacred finial, laying sacred relics inside the Stupa and placing a Buddha’s Statue in the Shrine Room took place onyear’s first Poya Day, the Dhuruthu Full Moon Day on 20 January 2019.
After all religious observances an Alms Giving for venerable Maha Sangha at the premises of Sri Sudharshanarama was organised by 56 Division along with Mr. Chamath Abeygunawardhana and his wife Enoka including lunch for over 1000 villagers who were present.
Commander Security Force (Wanni) Major General Kumudu Perera RWP RSP VSV USP ndu graced the occasion as the chief guest along with Mr. & Mrs Chamath Abeygunawardhana and Mrs Ashoka Ramanayake and members of the Ramanayake family were present.
General Officer Commanding 56 Division Major General Prabath Dematanpitiya ndu psc, many Senior Officers of under command formations of Security Force Wanni and a large number of villagers in Bogaswewa and nearby areas too were present at the occasion.
